Following last week’s announcement by Governor Janet Mills that Maine is taking a phased approach to reopening certain businesses, Northern Light Blue Hill and Maine Coast Hospitals are taking steps to return
to critical services delayed by COVID-19.
 
“Patient and employee safety are our top priorities,” said John Ronan, Northern Light Blue Hill and Maine Coast Hospital president, in a news release. “Our plans include prioritizing the needs of our lower risk patients and scheduling those services that are more urgent. With an abundance of precaution and enhanced safety measures, we look forward to expanding services. We are here to provide the care our community needs.”

Walk-In Care services offered at Northern Light Primary Care at Resort Way in Ellsworth and same day care at Northern Light Primary Care in Blue Hill continue to welcome patients for non-emergency care. Patients are encouraged to use the patient portal to communicate with their provider.
 
As Blue Hill and Maine Coast Hospitals re-open services, some of the actions to ensure a safe care environment for its patients can be found below:
 
 Separate COVID-19 screening and assessment sites: To provide the safest care to all patients, the facilities have established specific areas for COVID-19 assessments and treatment.

 Screening process at all facilities: Everyone who enters the facilities will be screened for symptoms. As an added layer of protection, temperature checks using touch free thermometers are being conducted during the screening process.

 Universal masking and physical distancing: All Northern Light Health employees — clinical and non-clinical — are required to wear a face mask at all times while at work. Patients and visitors are also required to wear a face covering. Patients without a face covering will be provided a mask during the screening process to wear while within the facilities. Various changes to waiting room use and scheduling practices will enable social distance requirements.

 Visitor policy: Visitation is restricted at Blue Hill and Maine Coast Hospitals, including primary care and specialty care centers, with limited exceptions.

 Care at home through telehealth: From primary care to specialty care, telehealth visits are a convenient way for patients to get the care and guidance they need without leaving home.

At Northern Light Health, we’re building a better approach to healthcare because we believe people deserve access to care that works for them. As an integrated health delivery system serving Maine, we’re raising the bar with no-nonsense solutions that are leading the way to a healthier future for our state. Our more than 12,000 team members—in our hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, long-term and home healthcare, and ground and air medical transport and emergency care — are committed to making healthcare work for you: our patients, communities, and employees. Learn more about Northern Light Health and our locations across Maine at
www.northernlighthealth.org.