General News
Starting Friday, December 26, 2025 due to an increase in respiratory illnesses across our region, including Influenza A, Cape Fear Valley Health is implementing updates to visitation and masking guidelines across its facilities. These steps are being taken to help protect patients, visitors, and staff.
Key Updates to Visitation Guidelines:
Visitation Age Requirement
- Visitors must now be 12 years old or older in most areas.
- All minors ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Visitor Health Expectations
- Visitors who are not feeling well or who have respiratory symptoms (such as cough, fever, sore throat, or congestion) should not visit for the protection of patients, visitors and staff.
- Visitors who are feeling well are encouraged to wear a mask while visiting patient care areas.
Masking in Waiting Rooms
- Masks are required for all patients and visitors in waiting rooms, including:
Emergency Department, ExpressCare, Surgery, Imaging, and outpatient clinic waiting rooms.
General Visitation Guidelines
- Visiting hours remain 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Patients may have up to two visitors at a time.
- One visitor may stay overnight if space allows. Overnight visitors must arrive before 8 p.m. and may not leave and return until visiting hours resume.
- Visitors to patients under isolation precautions must follow all required restrictions.
Emergency Department Visitation
- Visitors are not permitted in the waiting room unless the patient:
Is 65 years or older, or is cognitively impaired, regardless of age - These patients may have one visitor with them in the waiting room or triage.
- Other patients may have one visitor once placed in a room.
- Visitors may leave and return.
Pediatric Emergency Department
- One parent or guardian may be in the waiting room.
- Once placed in a room, pediatric patients may have two parents or guardians.
Unit-Specific Exceptions and Guidelines
- 2 North Unit at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center: Overnight visitation not permitted.
- Cancer Centers:
- All visitors must be 12 years or older and accompanied by an adult.
- No visitors under 18 in chemotherapy infusion areas.
- Masks are strongly encouraged.
- Labor & Delivery:
- Up to three designated support persons, age 16 or older.
- Support people may come and go but cannot switch with others during labor and delivery.
- Family Centered Care Unit:
- Two visitors at a time.
- Visitors must be 12 years or older.
- Visiting hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Pediatric Units / PICU:
- Parents or legal guardians may visit at any time.
- Visitors ages 12–17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and may not stay overnight.
- No more than two visitors at a time.
- NICU:
- Two banded visitors and four additional designated visitors.
- Only two visitors allowed at the bedside at one time.
- Visitors may come and go except during physician rounds (6:30–9:30 a.m. and 6:30–7:30 p.m.).
- No overnight stays.
- Siblings may visit on weekends (1:30 – 5:30 p.m.) if 12 or older and symptom-free.
- Patients Needing Support:
- Patients requiring a healthcare decision maker or communication assistance may have one Care Companion with them at all times.
- End-of-Life Patients:
- Up to four visitors at a time at the bedside.
- Visitors may rotate.
- Compassionate exceptions may be approved by the nursing supervisor
“These respiratory seasonal updates allow us to reduce the spread of respiratory illness in shared spaces while still supporting the important role visitors play in patient care and healing,” said Michael Ruzek, DO, CPE, FACEP, Chief Quality Officer. “We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation.”
Cape Fear Valley Health’s Infection Prevention team is closely monitoring illness trends and will adjust guidelines as needed.
Cape Fear Valley Health appreciates the community’s cooperation as we take these steps to keep everyone safe. These guidelines may be adjusted as conditions change.
