Atrium Health Visitor Guidelines

Atrium Health understands the importance of keeping our patients and the people who care about them connected. Our goal is to help families and friends stay in touch. Atrium Health staff can share the resources and technology available to help patients communicate with other family and friends. Atrium Health encourages the use of FaceTime, Skype and other live video platforms to stay in touch with people in the hospital. In many hospital areas, Atrium Health can provide tablets to those who don't have the technology to communicate with loved ones.

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time.
• We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided and in ED waiting areas. 
• Visitation times for hospitals are daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Patients having surgery may have visitors with them until they are in their patient room, even if they arrive before 8 a.m.
• Patients under 18 may have 2 parents or guardians visit any time of day.

Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time. We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided and in ED waiting areas. 

Patients receiving treatments for cancer and blood disorders are often immunocompromised and more vulnerable to infection. Therefore, masks will still be required by all teammates, patients and visitors in the following locations:

• Floor 11 of Levine Children’s Hospital
• Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of Levine Children’s Hospital
• Pediatric hematology-oncology clinic

In general, visitation is permitted throughout Levine Children’s Hospital, however certain areas do have additional visitation rules outlined below.

• Inpatient Units:
  • Patients admitted to the inpatient units may have up to 4 visitors/caregivers at the bedside during the day, including siblings 13 and older. 
  • From 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., up to 2 adult visitors/caregivers over 18 years may stay with the patient. 
• Pediatric Critical Care Units (PICU/CVICU):
  • Patients may have 2 visitors/caregivers at the bedside at any given time. 
  • Open to sibling visitation 13 years and older.
• Neonatal Units:
  • Patients may have 2 visitors/caregivers at the bedside at any given time. 
  • Open to sibling visitation 13 years and older.

Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time. We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided. 

• Obstetric Triage:
  • Only one support person is permitted in triage.

• Labor & Delivery:
  • Visitation permitted 24 hours/day.
  • Up to four visitors (inclusive of support person or doula) are welcome at the discretion of the patient.
  • Additional visitors may be granted based on special circumstances, particularly in compassionate care situations. Special circumstances to be managed by the treating physician and nursing unit leadership.
  • Only one support person will be permitted in the procedure room during a Cesarean delivery and recovery. If it is an emergent delivery, the support person may be asked to wait outside of the procedure room.

• Antepartum, Postpartum and Specialty Women’s Units:
  • Hospital visitation rules are followed. Visitation hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • One designated support person or visitor aged 16 or older may stay overnight in the patient’s room.

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time.
• We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided and in ED waiting areas. 

Overnight Visitation: Patients may have overnight visitors.

Special Considerations

• Some visitors arrive with patients via entrances other than the main visitor entrance (ex. Surgery, Emergency, Heart Procedures). In the event a patient who entered through any entrance other than the main visitor entrance be admitted and the visitor chooses to stay overnight, the visitor will need to check-in at the main entrance and receive a visitor band during visiting hours (8:00 am – 10:00 pm). If the patient admission happens after visiting hours, the visitor may stay overnight and check-in at the main entrance during the next day’s visiting hours.
• Special circumstances to be managed by treating physician and nursing unit leadership.
• If a patient needs an in-room procedure that requires the visitor to leave the room, the visitor may wait in the hallway outside the patient room or go for a walk.

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit patients in the ED at this time.
• When in the ED, we ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided and in waiting areas. 
• Visitation hours in the Emergency Departments are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Visitation hours in Urgent Care are during hours of operation.
• Behavioral Health Emergency Departments will not allow visitors for adult patients because of limited space

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 (i.e. being tested for Covid-19)

• Visitors are allowed.
• Visitor must wear a surgical mask that covers their nose and mouth or non fit tested N95/KN95 mask.
• Visitor may choose to wear a gown, gloves, and eye protection. These items will be provided upon request.
• Visitor must remain in the patient’s room with the door closed
• Visitors will not be allowed if the patient is receiving an aerosolizing procedure (i.e. BiPAP).
• Nursing leadership will monitor patients who are receiving aerosolizing treatments to assess if an in-person visit will occur.
• If it becomes evident a visit is necessary, nursing will work with the attending physician to coordinate the visit.

• Visitors are encouraged to be in good health and to follow any localized visitor guidelines given by their practice.

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time.
• We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided. 
• Inpatient rehabilitation facility visitations times are daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Patients will not be allowed visitors if they have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested) at any location

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time.
• We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided. 
• Patients receiving treatments for cancer are often immunocompromised and more vulnerable to infection. In general, we are allowing limited visitation at some of our locations. Please read the information about the particular location to understand the visitation rules. Regardless of location, two (2) parents or guardians are always allowed for patients under 18 years of age
   
• LCI Office Locations, Infusion Centers, Vascular Access and Radiation Oncology treatment areas, visitors must:
  • For age 2 and older, wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times (except while eating in select areas)
  • Have a health screening when they enter the building
  • Be in good health (free from respiratory illness, fever, cough, etc.)
  • Follow all social distancing and safety guidance. This includes wearing masks, and hand washing
• LCI Infusion Centers and Apheresis
  • Only one (1) asymptomatic visitor allowed
  • Visitor must be 16 years or older.
• Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) Inpatient Hematology/Oncology (CMC 3T)
• Visitors must comply with masking and social distancing guidance.
• Carolinas Medical Center 4B, CMC 4T
• (2) visitors per day. One (1) visitor per night.
• Vaccination is NOT required.
• Visitors must comply with masking and social distancing guidance.
• Exceptions, as determined by the treating physician and facility leadership, may include:
• End of life circumstance
• Certain communication barriers
• Caregiver / Decision making
• Physical, emotional, psychiatric problems where a caregiver is necessary

Visitation hours at hospice locations are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time.
• We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided. 

Patients with COVID-19:

• Visitor must wear a surgical mask or a non-fit tested N95/KN95 mask if visitor prefers, that covers their nose and mouth.
• Visitor may choose to wear a gown, gloves, and eye protection. These items will be provided upon request.
• Visitors will be directed to a separate entrance.

Behavioral Health Charlotte and Behavioral Health Davidson; Behavioral Health Inpatient Units at Atrium Health Stanly, Atrium Health Kings Mountain and Atrium Health Cabarrus Senior Behavioral Health Unit

• Children 12 and under and anyone with respiratory symptoms should not visit at this time.
• We ask that visitors wear masks in areas where direct patient care is provided. 
• Visitation is by appointment only
• To keep everyone safe, we are continuing to offer staggered visitation for the inpatient behavioral health units due to space constraints and the need to assure adequate distancing.
• Patients will be allowed one visitor during specific visitation hours. This includes patients who have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested) at any location.
• Visitors can switch during visitation hours, but only one visitor per patient allowed at a time
• Patients under 18 will be allowed two (2) parent or guardian visitors in some of these situations.
• Virtual options are available for all visitors.