Visitor Policy

Visitor Policy
Your safety is our top priority.

Patient Safety

As we begin the process of resuming non-emergency medical services like primary care, behavioral health, orthopedics, surgery, operating room services, radiology, lab, physical therapy, and occupational health, we wanted to take a moment to outline the steps we’re taking to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

While we’ve instituted some new guidelines in the wake of COVID-19, patient safety has always been our top priority, as evidenced by the consistently high scores we receive by state and national governing bodies.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE 

Following are the enhanced safety measures we’ve established:

  • Social distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing protocols remain firmly in place.
  • All persons entering MCH will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • All MCH staff members will be screened daily for symptoms of COVID-19.
  • All patients requiring admission, symptomatic or not, will be tested for COVID-19.
  • Enhanced cleaning procedures are in effect in all areas of the Hospital.
  • Our Laboratory and Radiology Departments prioritize scheduled patients, we may not be able to accommodate walk-in appointments.

RESTRICTED VISITOR LEVELS IN EFFECT

Location of Visit

Visitor Allowances and Restrictions

Confirmed or suspected COVID-19

No visitors whatsoever except for compassionate care, pediatric patients and patients in labor. Must be 18 years of age or older.

In-Patient Units

One visitor (caregiver, family, or visitor/guest) per day allowed. Must be 18 years of age or older. Compassionate Care* exception.

Emergency Department

One visitor (caregiver, family, or visitor/guest) for the entire duration of ED care. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Compassionate Care exception*. 

Surgical Services

One Caregiver/family can be with the patient until patient is taken into OR/Procedure room as needed for continuity of care, provided there is enough space for physical distancing.

Obstetrics/Labor and Delivery

Outpatient prenatal patients may bring one adult with them to their prenatal and ultrasound visits.

During labor and delivery, up to two adult support persons, including a partner, may be present. One support person may stay throughout the hospital stay.

Post-partum patients may bring one adult with them to their appointments.

Pediatrics

Emergency Department pediatric patients may have up to two adult primary caregivers (parents or legal guardians) with them, as space permits.

Ambulatory (outpatient) pediatric patients are permitted one adult primary caregiver per visit. We will work with our patients’ parents or guardians to accommodate special circumstances, but exceptions must be approved by the appointment provider prior to arrival for the visit.

All other Ambulatory 

No visitors except for caregiver. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Patients requiring aerosolizing procedures

No caregiver or visitor under exception may be in the patient’s room during the procedure but they may enter once the procedure is done. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Compassionate care*

Care teams will assess whether they can offer compassionate exceptions whenever appropriate. Examples of compassionate exceptions may include but are not limited to:

  • End of life
  • Clergy visits and spiritual care needs
  • When a patient is experiencing a challenging situation, such as a life-changing diagnosis, prolonged hospitalization, limited cognitive abilities, etc.

No more than two visitors allowed at one time, and as directed by the care team.

“At MCH, the safety of our patients, staff and community will remain our highest priority and reopening will be a gradual and phased process.”READ OUR VISITOR POLICY HERE: 


Cynthia K. McGuire, FACHE
President & CEO

PATIENT ENTRANCES

Patients arriving for services or appointments have three options to enter the building:

  • Medical Arts Building Entrance, adjacent to MCH’s Main Entrance
  • Emergency Department Entrance
  • Bond Wellness Center Entrance

SCREENING

Just as our employees are screened daily, patients and visitors are screened for fever and other symptoms of illness as they enter the building. You will have your temperature taken and one of our staff will ask you if you have had any symptoms, or have traveled outside of New England or been exposed to anyone with COVID-19.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Please practice social distancing by maintaining six feet of space between you and other people, whenever possible. Floor markers are in-place in our common areas as helpful reminders.

MASKS

Face masks are required by everyone throughout the main hospital campus and our satellite practice locations. These are required to remain on at all times unless you are instructed by MCH personnel to remove them. This policy follows guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services’ latest health alert recommendations. If patients arrive without a mask, they will be given one upon entry to wear for their entire visit.

LAB & RADIOLOGY APPOINTMENTS

We’ve streamlined our scheduling and registration process to reduce the amount of time patients spend in our waiting rooms, particularly in our ancillary services.

  • Arriving for Radiology or Laboratory services? Please note: Our Laboratory and Radiology Departments prioritize scheduled patients, we may not be able to accommodate walk-in appointments.
  • To schedule an appointment, call AIM Central Scheduling (603) 924-4621