Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health has made it a priority to protect the health and well-being
of those we serve. To accomplish this during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to
make some difficult decisions. This includes limiting the number of companions able
to accompany you when you receive care.
We realize that this decision may be challenging to accept and a source of frustration. These
limitations help us keep you and your loved ones, as well as our caregivers, safe. The use of
virtual platforms to communicate with loved ones is encouraged and may provide you with a
desired sense of connection. Individual locations are able to provide further guidance.
LG Health is following the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania
Department of Health throughout our locations. This guidance includes:
We will continue to evaluate our visitation policies in order to balance the needs of our patients
and families with the need to limit exposure to COVID-19. We hope to return to a more open
policy once it is safe to do so.
Inpatients - Patients admitted to
Lancaster General Hospital, Women
& Babies Hospital for observation
1 - Designated companion
For entire hospital stay, any time
during visiting hours
10 am – 8 pm
Labor, Delivery, after Delivery
(Post-partum)
1 - Designated companion
For entire hospital stay, any time during visiting hours
Unlimited
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
2 - Parents / guardians
One at a time at baby’s bedside
Unlimited. One parent/guardian may stay beyond 8 pm
Pediatric - Inpatient (Hospital)
and Outpatient (Offices)
1 - Parent / guardian
Hospital 10 am – 8 pm
One parent/guardian may stay beyond 8 pm. Outpatient
business hours
Patients with disabilities or
special needs
1 - Designated companion
plus 1 caregiver for the individual with special needs
Hospital 10 am – 8 pm
and during outpatient
business hours
Patients at end-of-life
2 at a time with patient
As needed
Patients who have COVID-19 or are
awaiting COVID-19 test results
At this time, we are not allowing care companion for patients who are COVID-19 positive or those awaiting COVID-19 test results.
There are exceptions for those patients at end-of-life. We have virtual options available to allow access to patients.
Outpatients – office visit, testing,
Urgent Care, outpatient procedure,
day surgery
1 - Designated companion
To accompany patient
Length of appointment
or procedure
Emergency Department
1 - Designated companion
To accompany patient
Length of stay. If patient is
admitted, inpatient guidelines
apply. If admitted after hours,
care companion may stay for
30 mins. after admission.
Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute
1 - Designated companion
For patient’s first clinic visit only.
By physician’s approval for future
clinic visits. First-time meeting for
radiation. Pediatric patients.
Length of appointment
or procedure. Only if approved
by physician.