Atrium Health Enhances Visitor Restriction to Essential Visitation Only

03.18.2020 Atrium Health Alert

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 18, 2020 – In order to help protect patients, family members and healthcare workers from the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Atrium Health is implementing additional temporary restrictions for visitors to include essential visitation only.

Effective Thursday, March 19, only essential patient visitors will be allowed to visit, including:

  • Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or patients at the end of life
  • Patients who need a healthcare decision maker or visitor to help in communication or mobility
  • Minor patients less than 18 years
  • Patients having a baby and birthing coaches

Any visitor with symptoms of a fever or respiratory illness symptoms, including cough or shortness of breath, should remain home. Hospitals will use discretion and may screen visitors for signs and symptoms of illness. Existing visitor restrictions will remain in place, with only immediate family members, aged 13 and over, being allowed to visit.

The patient’s care team 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 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
  • Atrium Health Pineville

This is a rapidly evolving situation and Atrium Health is committed to the health of not just our patients, but each community it serves. 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. Patients have access to Wi-Fi to assist with mobile communication.

For those that have flu or cold-like symptoms, please contact Atrium Health before visiting a doctor’s office, urgent care or emergency department to prevent the possible spreading of COVID-19. As more social distancing policies are in place, a wide variety of healthcare options for each specific health situation is available at www.AtriumHealth.org/GetCareNow, including Atrium Health’s:

  • COVID-19 Risk Assessment: Recommendations on your risk of having the coronavirus by answering a few quick questions.
  • Virtual Visits: Secure, face-to-face video chat with a trusted healthcare provider from the comfort of your home.
  • eVisits: Care through a secure message for minor illnesses like flu or cold
  • Health Line (704-468-8888): Talk live with a healthcare professional to answer your health-related questions.

"Atrium Health has implemented these new measures to ensure we are doing everything we can as a system to keep our patients, their loved ones and our teammates safe during these unprecedented times," said Jim Hunter, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Atrium Health. "During times like this, Atrium Health’s mission of improving health, elevating hope and advancing healing – for all, truly comes to life."

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.