As COVID-19 Cases Decline in Maryland, LifeBridge Health Adjusts Hospital Guidelines to Allow Some Visitors under Strict Safety Measures

Baltimore MD - At LifeBridge Health, the health and protection of our patients, visitors and team members is our responsibility and highest priority. With fewer cases of COVID-19 now reported in Maryland and with strict comprehensive guidelines in place, LifeBridge Health will welcome some visitors back to our hospitals on a limited basis beginning Monday, June 29, 2020 at noon.

These changes affect Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital and Grace Medical Center. 

The following guidelines were put into place to continue to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients and team members as well as our visitors.

Visiting hours will be from noon until 8 p.m.

• All visitors will be screened for flu-like symptoms (runny nose, fever and cough) and will not be allowed to visit if the symptoms exist. 
• All visitors will be required to wear masks.
• No visitors under age 18 are allowed unless they are the parent of a child in the hospital. This includes waiting rooms and other public areas.
• Patients, who are not COVID-positive or are not being examined for the potential that they have COVID-19, may have one designated visitor/support person visit them  per day.
  The designated person can change by calendar day, but not more often.
  The designated person is required to follow all infection prevention policies, undergo the check-in screening process and always wear a mask.
• Patients, who are not COVID-positive and at the end of life, may have two family members at their bedside.
• COVID-positive patients, who are at the end of life, may have a onetime only exception of two visitors. These visitors must wear protective equipment under the direction of the staff, and they are not to exceed one hour in the room.

One other note: Levindale and Northwest Hospital's Sub-Acute Unit will continue under the current guidelines. They are not included in these new visitor guidelines because they follow the regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Maryland Department of Health for long-term care communities, which have separate practices.

After more than three months of having no visitors, we are pleased to be moving in this direction. However, we understand that these visitor guidelines may still be challenging for patients and families. However, we have made this decision about visitors in the best interest of our patients, their families, our staff and our community. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

LifeBridge Health will provide updates and more information on its COVID-19 response plans at: lifebridgehealth.org/COVID19

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