Atrium Health Visitor Restrictions

• Patients will not be allowed visitors:
• If they have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested) at any location
• Patients under 18 will be allowed two (2) parents or guardian visitation in some of these situations.
• Visitors must:
• 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 at least 12 years old. (Children must be supervised at all times and are expected to follow all safety protocols.)
• Be in good health (free from respiratory illness, fever, cough, etc.)
• Stay in the patient room visiting the patient, they cannot roam the hospital
• Follow all social distancing and safety guidance. This includes wearing masks, staying six feet from others and hand washing
• If a visitor does not follow the guidance above it can cause serious safety concerns. They will be escorted out of the building in order to keep our patients and staff safe
• Patients at Atrium Health skilled nursing facilities may be allowed limited visitors. Contact the patient’s facility to find out more about visitation for their facility.
• Exceptions may be made in special circumstances or compassionate care situations to be determined by the care team and will be managed by the treating physician and the facility leaders.
• Special circumstances or compassionate care situations that require visits include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Cognitive or behavioral needs
  • Intellectual or developmental disabilities
  • Inability to make medical decisions
  • End-of-life situations
  • A patient who was living with his or her family before recently being admitted to the facility and is struggling with the change in environment and lack of physical family support
  • A patient who is grieving after a friend or family member recently passed away
  • A patient who needs cueing and encouragement with eating or drinking, previously provided by family or caregivers, is experiencing weight loss or dehydration
  • A patient, who used to talk and interact with others, is experiencing emotional distress, seldom speaking, or crying more frequently when the patient had rarely cried in the past

Clergy are allowed to visit a patient who requests or consents to the visit and are not counted as one of the approved visitor(s). Clergy must pass entrance screening, wear a mask and other appropriate personal protective equipment, and wash hands when entering and exiting a patient room. Exceptions are permitted if the use of personal protective equipment interferes with the religious beliefs of the patient or visiting clergy member.

Atrium Health understands the importance of keeping our patients and the people who care about them connected. Even though hospital visitation is restricted, 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.

• Visitation times for hospitals are daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors may switch during the same day.
• Patients having surgery may have one (1) visitor 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.

Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH) and Jeff Gordon’s Children Center (JGCC)

• Patients at LCH and JGCC may have up two (2) adult and two (2) sibling visitors at a time during visiting hours (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
• The visitors must be family members/guardians and siblings
• Siblings must be 12 years or older
• A maximum of 2 adults (18 years or older) may stay with the patient overnight (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.)

Please also review the restrictions for all locations

Overnight Visitation

Patients may have one visitor overnight with the following exceptions:

• Patient is Covid-19 positive or PUI
• Minor patients under the age of 18 may have two (2) visitors/guardians at any time.

Special Considerations

• Overnight visitors must stay at the patient’s bedside.
• Waiting rooms and communal sleeping areas will remain closed.
• 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.

• Visitor may switch between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Overnight visitors cannot switch.
• Labor and Delivery
• Two (2) visitors, no restriction on visitation times
• One visitor may be a labor coach or doula, who counts as one of the two visitors.
• Patients who have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested) are allowed 1 visitor
• Before delivery (Antepartum)
• Two (2) visitors 8a-10p
• One (1) visitor allowed to stay overnight
• Patients will not be allowed visitors at any location, if they have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested)
• After delivery (Postpartum)
• Two (2) visitors 8a-10p
• One (1) visitor allowed to stay overnight
• Patients who have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested) are allowed 1 visitor
• Readmission after delivery
• Two (2) visitors 8a-10p
• One (1) visitor allowed to stay overnight
• Newborn allowed to stay with mom and does not count as a visitor
• Patients who have COVID-19 or might have COVID-19 (being tested) are allowed 1 visitor
• Labor Coach Guidelines
• Inpatient maternity patients in labor will be allowed a labor coach, in addition to another visitor, for the duration of their labor, for a total of two (2) visitors allowed during labor and delivery. The full policy for inpatient maternity patients is:
• Labor coach must be 18 years of age or older per visitation guidelines.
• A labor coach will not be permitted if the patient has or is suspected of having COVID-19.
• Patients are encouraged to carefully select their visitor and labor coach (if applicable) to reduce exposure to their newborn. If selecting someone outside of their household, it is recommended that the labor coach/visitor self-quarantine for 14 days prior to delivery date when possible.

Please also review the restrictions for  all locations.

• Emergency Departments and Urgent Care centers patients are allowed 1 visitor any time of day. Visitors are allowed to switch during the visit
• 2 parents or guardians are allowed if patients are under 18
• If the Emergency Department is busy, visitors will not be allowed in waiting rooms. Visitors will have to remain outside the Emergency Department until the patient is placed in a room. Designated parking lots are available for visitors who are waiting.
• Behavioral Health Emergency Departments will not allow visitors for adult patients because of limited space

Please also review the restrictions for all locations

Visitation Update – Children at Ambulatory Visits

Effective Wednesday, June 9, we are updating our visitation guidelines for ambulatory practices (excluding oncology).

Ambulatory practices will now allow children to accompany adults to adult outpatient appointments. This is to allow parents greater access to healthcare if they cannot get childcare. Patients are asked to only bring children to adult appointments if childcare is not available. If another adult is also with the patient, they will be asked to stay with the children in the waiting area or outside during the visit.

• 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

Ongoing Guidance for Medical Practices and Doctor's Offices

No age restrictions for visitors (exception oncology)

• 1 visitor will be allowed to come to doctor’s visits with adult patients
• 2 parents or guardians are allowed to come to visits if patients are under 18
• For special situations, the doctor will work with the office manager to find the best solution for the patient.
• Visitors should be prepared to be available by cell phone once patient is ready to be seen or stay with patient (if there is not space in the building)

Please also review the restrictions for all locations

• Inpatient rehabilitation facility visitations times are daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Two (2) visitors are allowed per day at one time. Visitors may switch on the same day, except for visitors for maternity patients.
• Visitors may switch during the same day, except for visitors for maternity patients.
• Patients may have one scheduled overnight visitor to be arranged with facility leadership

Please also review the restrictions for all locations.

• 1 visitor will be allowed for adult patients as waiting room social distancing requirements allow.
• Visitors should be prepared to be available by cell phone once patient is ready to be seen or stay with patient (if there is not space in the waiting room)
• The visitor must be at least 18 years old, in order to be the responsible party for the patient at discharge.

Please also review the restrictions for all locations

• 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
• Visitors are not allowed in the following locations:
• LCI Infusion centers, vascular access and radiation oncology treatment areas
• All other LCI office locations
• Two (2) visitors allowed, only if those visitors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
• Fully vaccinated means having received an approved COVID-19 vaccine and at least 2 weeks have passed since the final dose
• If patient has an office visit and an infusion appointment, the visitor may accompany the patient to the office visit, but not to the infusion appointment
• Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) Inpatient Hematology/Oncology (CMC 3T)
• Two (2) visitors allowed 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Carolinas Medical Center 4B, CMC 4T
• One (1) visitor per day, only if that visitor is vaccinated against COVID-19
• Proof of vaccination is required
• Vaccination is defined as having received an approved COVID-19 vaccine and at least 2 weeks have passed since the final dose
• 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

Please also review the restrictions for all locations.

Patients with COVID-19: One (1) visitor is allowed during end-of-life situations or other special circumstances to be managed by the care team. Otherwise, visitors are not allowed.

• Visitors must wear a gown, gloves and a surgical mask
• The visitation time limit is 60 minutes
• Physician and facility leadership will determine what is considered “end of life”

Non-COVID-19 Patients: Up to eight (8) visitors are allowed at a time, and visitors may switch out during the day.

• Eight (8) visitors allowed overnight
• Visitors need to maintain social distancing of 6 feet, which can be done by using the adjoining family room
• Visitors must be screened before coming into the building
• Visitors must remain masked
• Common areas to remain closed

Visiting hours are location specific and will be posted and covered with patient and family during admission.

Please also review the restrictions for all locations.

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

• Visitation is by appointment only
• To keep everyone safe, we are limiting the number of visitors at any given time
• Patients will be allowed one visitor during specific visitation hours
• Visitors can switch during visitation hours, but only one visitor per patient allowed at a time
• Visitors must comply with Atrium Health visitor standards.

Please also review the restrictions for all locations.

• Visitation is by appointment only
• To keep everyone safe, we are limiting the number of visitors at any given time
• Patients will be allowed one visitor during specific visitation hours
• Visitors can switch during visitation hours, but only one visitor per patient allowed at a time
• Visitors must comply with Atrium Health visitor standards.

Please also review the restrictions for all locations.

If a patient or family member feels their visitation rights have been violated, they may contact department leadership on their loved one’s unit, or the Atrium Health Customer Care Line at 800-821-1535 or via email: Customer.Care.Line@atriumhealth.org.

Additionally, patients or their family may contact:

• NC Division of Health Services Regulation Complaint Intake Unit 2711 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/ciu/filecomplaint.html, 919-855-4500
• The Joint Commission One Renaissance Blvd. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Fax: 630-792-5636 Website: www.jointcommission.org, then click “Report a Patient Safety Event”
• For Atrium Health Pineville only: Det Norske Veritas- GL (DNV-GL) 400 Techne Center Drive, Suite 100, Milford, OH 45150 Attn: Complaints, hospitalcomplaint@dnvgl.com , phone: 866-496-9647, www.dnvglhealthcare.com “Hospital Complaint” link on right side