FAYETTEVILLE – May 29,2020 – Cape Fear Valley Health is updating its visitation policy to allow for one care companion per day for most inpatients. The change is effective Monday, June 1.
- Adult inpatients at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Hoke Hospital, Bladen County Hospital and Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center may have one Care Companion during the hours of noon to 8 p.m.
- Patients age 17 and younger may have two Care Companions who are the patient’s parents or legal guardians.
- Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC) patients at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital may not have a Care Companion at this time in order to protect this vulnerable population.
Important Information for All Care Companions
- All Care Companions should arrive wearing a mask and must successfully complete a health screening including temperature check and respiratory questions.
- Care Companions may not visit if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone who tested positive within the past 14 days.
- Care Companions must be immediate family members or designated support persons that are able to hear all medical information.
- Care Companions must be age 16 or older (18 or older for Behavioral Health Care Inpatient Unit).
Hospitals
- Care Companions must stay in the patient’s room the entire time of the visit. Once the Care Companion leaves the patient’s room, he/she must leave the facility.
- Care Companions are not allowed in COVID-19 (suspected or confirmed) or isolation rooms.
- Labor and Delivery patients are allowed one Care Companion who may stay with them for the duration of the inpatient stay. If the Care Companion leaves the hospital, he/she may not return until the next day at noon.
- Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Nursing Supervisor for patients at end of life.
- Clergy may visit during the hours of noon to 8 p.m. They must present their clergy identification and specify which patient(s) they are visiting. They must wear a mask and complete a health screening. They are not allowed in isolation rooms or COVID-19 rooms.
- Care Companions and clergy must sanitize hands before entering and after leaving a patient room. Hand sanitizer is located outside every patient room.
Emergency Departments
- Emergency Departments at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Hoke Hospital and Bladen County Hospital allow one Care Companion to accompany adult patients once the patient is placed in a private treatment room.
- Patients age 17 and younger may have two Care Companions who are the patient’s parents or legal guardians.
- The Care Companion must wait in their vehicle until the patient is placed in a private treatment room.
- If the patient is admitted, the Care Companion must leave the Emergency Department. The Care Companion may visit the patient in the hospital during the hours of noon to 8 p.m.
Surgery and GI Lab
- Adult surgery patients may have one Care Companion.
- Patients age 17 and younger may have two Care Companions who are the patient’s parents or legal guardians.
- For Outpatient Surgery or GI procedures, Care Companions will wait in the Surgery Lounge until the patient is in the Phase II recovery area.
- For inpatients, Care Companions will wait in the patient’s room.
- Care Companions must wait in their vehicle for surgeries performed at Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital.
Cardiac Catheterizations and Interventional Radiology Procedures- Patients may have one Care Companion that arrives with the patient for the procedure.
Behavioral Health Care Inpatient Unit
- Patients may have one designated Care Companion for a one-hour visit between 7 and 9 p.m. at a time specified during Admission.
Clinics and Outpatient Diagnostic Appointments
- Adult patients should arrive alone for appointments unless they require a healthcare decision maker or communication assistance.
- In those instances, a Care Companion may accompany the patient.
- A parent or guardian should accompany all minor patients.
- Masks are required in all facilities.
Community Mental Health Center
- Patients should arrive wearing a mask.
- Temperature checks and pandemic screenings will be provided.
- Patients will be instructed to wait in their vehicle until contacted.