Patient and Visitor Information
When you need exceptional care and access to leading-edge technologies, the hospitals and health care providers at Lehigh Valley Health Network are here for you.
This page was last updated on 11/16/2020 at 7:00 AM.
The following visitation guidelines take effect November 17 at 7 a.m.
In our hospitals and inpatient facilities, visitors are allowed in these circumstances:
Healthy visitors are permitted under these guidelines:
Visitors recovering from COVID-19 will be allowed if:
All visitors are expected to adhere to social distancing recommendations and hand sanitation policies while in the hospital.
All patients who are not critically ill are given a cellphone or an iPad they can use to stay connected with loved ones virtually.
To keep you, your baby and our staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, LVHN has updated the visitation policy for our Family Birth and Newborn Centers based on the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other professional societies.
Health screenings will be performed for all patients and their support person before they enter the unit. Any support person meeting the following criteria will be prohibited from entering Family Birth and Newborn Centers:
Triage – One healthy support person is permitted. They will be asked to bring their own mask and are expected to remain in the patient room.
Perinatal/Antepartum units – One healthy designated support person (visitor) is permitted to visit the patient and is asked to bring his/her own mask. Ideally, this shall be only one person, and visitors should not change from hour to hour or day to day.
Labor and Delivery operating room (cesarean delivery) – One healthy support person (visitor) is permitted into the operating room for patients who do not have confirmed, presumed or suspected COVID-19 without recovery. The support person (visitor) will be asked to wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment (PPE) and must pass screening.
Labor and Delivery/Mother-Baby units – A single support person (visitor) per patient is permitted on Labor and Delivery and Mother-Baby units.
To keep you, your baby and our staff safe, each visitor will be required to:
If the mother has COVID-19 (or is suspected to have COVID-19) and is separated from the baby based on recommendations from the CDC, the visitor or support person cannot move between the mother’s isolation room and the baby’s isolation room or nursery. The support person should become the newborn’s visitor and no longer the mother’s visitor. If the mother and baby are in the same room, the support person may stay in the room but should primarily provide newborn care.
Mothers also are required to wear masks, preferably their own brought from home, including freshly washed cloth masks. If they do not bring a mask, one will be provided to them.
For all outpatient appointments, one visitor is permitted to accompany a patient for an outpatient appointment, procedure, same-day surgery or LVPG office visit. We will make reasonable accommodations for pediatric visits, provided any sibling visitors are in good health.
Visitors of LVHN or Coordinated Health facilities in Pennsylvania who are under a 14-day home quarantine for international travel or travel to any of the areas identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a COVID-19 hot spot (except New Jersey) will not be permitted.
Visitors of Coordinated Health facilities in New Jersey will comply with New Jersey Department of Health Travel Guidelines and will quarantine for 14 days following travel from any area identified as a COVID-19 hot spot.
Visitors are not permitted to accompany patients undergoing infusion or radiation oncology treatments:
Non-Treatment Outpatient Appointments
For outpatient appointments that do not involve treatment, such as mammograms and patient provider appointments, one visitor is permitted to accompany a patient. No child under age 12 will be permitted as a visitor.
Attention Drivers
If you are a driver for a patient receiving treatment, we encourage you to either go home or wait in your car. Please make sure the person you drop off has your phone number. You will receive a call when the patient’s treatment is finished.
Clergy are only permitted to visit patients who are nearing end of life and may visit only to offer communion or last rites.
Eucharistic ministers may not visit to offer communion.
Pastoral care services are available at each LVHN hospital to support and attend to patients’ diverse spiritual needs.
When you visit any LVHN hospital location, staff will take your temperature at main entrances and at the emergency department using a forehead thermometer.
If you have a temperature higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will be directed to postpone your visit. If you have a temperature lower than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, staff will ask you a series of questions to ensure you are not at risk of spreading COVID-19.
Visitors who are under a 14-day home quarantine for international travel or travel to any of the areas identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a COVID-19 hot spot (except New Jersey) will not be permitted.
Visitors of Coordinated Health facilities in New Jersey will comply with New Jersey Department of Health Travel Guidelines and will quarantine for 14 days following travel from any area identified as a COVID-19 hot spot.
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone who has it, you should take any of these steps to be screened:
In all LVHN surgery waiting rooms, only one visitor is permitted per patient. Visitors are being seated at least six feet away from one another. Visitors are encouraged to use the EASE app, which sends real-time updates to loved ones. Visitors who drive patient for surgery are asked if they are willing to leave their phone number and go to another location so they can be called when the patient is ready for discharge.
Find helpful information specific to each hospital regarding parking, dining options and more.
Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest in Allentown
LVH–17th Street in Allentown
LVH–Muhlenberg in Bethlehem
LVH–Hazleton in Hazleton
LVH–Pocono in East Stroudsburg
LVH–Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street and LVH–Schuylkill S. Jackson Street, both in Pottsville.
As neighbors and members of your communities, we are here to care for you and your family throughout life.
Each hospital has its own information page on LVHN.org (links are listed above). We invite you to visit the hospital information page for specific local information, including:
If you have additional questions or have a special request during your visit, please speak with any LVHN employee. We are here to help you.