Atrium Health Announces Eased Visitor Restrictions

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., May 26, 2020 – With North Carolina phasing in certain types of business across the state, Atrium Health will begin easing some of its visitation restrictions, while ensuring COVID-Safe standards are in place. Effective Wednesday, May 27, patients who are having surgery or a procedure that requires sedation may designate one person to accompany them at Atrium Health care settings.

Last month, Atrium Health began leading the way forward asthe first health system in the region to expand the delivery of care services, including the resumption of manytypes of surgeries that were suspended during the height of the pandemic period. 

“Atrium Health has easedsome of the visitor restrictions because we understand how important it is to patients and their physical and mental well-being,” said Dr. Suzanna Fox, deputy chief physician executive for Atrium Health. “We recognize that interacting with friends and family can be helpful to the healing process, and by following all of our safety standards, we can now allow a visitor to accompany a patient who is having a procedure or surgery that requires sedation.”

To ensure the safest environment possible, visitors with symptoms of respiratory illness, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, will not be permitted in patient areas of the hospital.

As part of Atrium Health’s COVID-Safe care standards, all approved visitors will:

• Undergo standardized screening, including a temperature check.
• Be required to wear a mask which completely covers the mouth and nose at all times while in an Atrium Health facility.
• Comply with all guidance related to social distancing and any other signage or direction from facility staff.
• Not be allowed to roam the hospital or facility; visitors are expected to remain in the designated areas at all times.

The visitation revisions applyto most patients who are having surgery or a procedure that requires sedation,delivered in an Atrium Health hospital-basedormedical practice environment, such as a physician’s office. Visitors will still be restricted for patients in high-risk categories and environments. Healthcare providers will be able toguide patients on their specific visitor policy prior to their surgery or procedure. 

All other previously announced restrictions remain in place for hospital inpatient care or standard emergency department services, including care delivered at outpatient, urgent care or residential care locations.Exceptions are in place allowing one visitor for the birth of a baby and for end-of-life circumstances. A 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. Parents or legal guardians may visit their minor children, but no visitors under the age of 13 are currently allowed. 

Where visitation is not possible, family and friends are strongly encouraged to utilize other forms of support for their loved ones, such as phone calls or video chats on cell phones or other mobile devices. 

Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is an integrated network not-for-profit healthcare system with over 70,000 teammates at nearly 40 hospitals and 900 care locations. With locations throughout the Carolinas as well as Georgia, Atrium Health is a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine. It provides top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care to patients, as well as specialized musculoskeletal programs and organ transplants. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in seven different specialties, it has also received the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize. Its flagship hospital, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center, is the region’s only Level I trauma center and is consistently rated among the nation’s best. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all. Last year alone, Atrium Health provided more than $2.07 billion in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.