Additional Hospital Visitor Restrictions Now in Effect for Coronavirus Disease 2019
NOTE: Visitor restrictions are subject to change at any time and without notice. News releases on Atrium Health’s visitation policy as designed to let the public know when there are substantial changes taking place, but additional changes are sometimes put into place. For the most current system-wide policy, click here.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 11, 2020 – In conjunction with six other regional health systems, Atrium Health is expanding visitor restrictions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In light of Governor Cooper’s declaration of a state of emergency in North Carolina due to the virus, Atrium Health is taking this additional measure to protect the health of our patients, their loved ones and our medical staff.
Effective immediately, only immediate family members, aged 13 and over, will be able to take part in hospital visiting hours unless deemed absolutely necessary by the patient’s healthcare team. This standard will apply even if visitors are healthy and regardless of their age. Existing visitation restrictions already apply to all children age 12 and under due to the ongoing flu season visitor restrictions that remain in effect.
In addition, any and all visitors, including family members, with flu-like symptoms such as fever and new or worsening cough or shortness of breath will not be allowed in patient areas to help control the spread of illnesses. Nursing staff and the attending physician will work with families who have special circumstances, such as a critically ill or injured family member, on a case-by-case basis.
The visitation restrictions apply to all Atrium Health inpatient locations:
- Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center
- Atrium Health's Levine Children's Hospital
- Atrium Health's Levine Cancer Institute
- Atrium Health Mercy
- Atrium Health Anson
- Atrium Health Cleveland
- Atrium Health Kings Mountain
- Atrium Health Lincoln
- Atrium Health Cabarrus
- Atrium Health Pineville
- Atrium Health Stanly
- Atrium Health Union
- Atrium Health University City
- Atrium Health Pineville Rehabilitation Hospital
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-Charlotte
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-Mt. Holly
- Carolinas Rehabilitation-NorthEast
- Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte
- Atrium Health Behavioral Health Davidson
This is a rapidly evolving situation and Atrium Health will take additional steps to help control the spread of COVID-19 as necessary. Atrium Health recognizes that interacting with friends and family can be helpful to the healing process and strongly encourage everyone to utilize other forms of support for their loved ones, such as phone calls, video chats on cell phones or other mobile devices.
The decision to expand these visitor restrictions is a collaborative effort among Atrium Health and six other regional health systems including Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge, CaroMont Health, Cone Health, Novant Health, Randolph Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health.
For those who are concerned they many have contracted COVID-19, the CDC and Health Department are actively working to increase access to testing. Testing is currently being focused on patients who have symptoms of the flu and who came in contact with a confirmed coronavirus case.
For those that have flu or cold-like symptoms, please stay home from work or school until you have no fever for at least 48 hours without Tylenol, Advil/Ibuprofen or other fever lowering medicines. If your breathing gets worse, or you still have a fever after five days, please contact Atrium Health before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department.
Please consider using Virtual Visit services to prevent spreading germs by getting care from the comfort of your home at www.AtriumHealth.org/VirtualVisit.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is one of the nation's leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, providing a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout the Southeast region. Its diverse network of care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Atrium Health works to enhance the overall health and well-being of its communities through high-quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.