General News
Cape Fear Valley Health has updated its visitation guidelines to reflect current public health conditions while continuing to prioritize patient safety and infection prevention.
Masks are no longer required for patients or visitors in Emergency Department or ExpressCare waiting rooms unless an individual is experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Effective Thursday, Feb. 26, visitation hours remain 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all facilities. The minimum visitor age in most areas is 6 years old, and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Patients may have up to two visitors at a time during visiting hours, and visitors may come and go during those hours. One visitor may stay overnight in the patient’s room if space allows. Overnight visitors must arrive before visiting hours end and may not leave and return until visiting hours resume the next day. Visitors to patients under isolation precautions must follow all required safety measures.
Mask Guidance
Masks are no longer required in most areas of Cape Fear Valley Health facilities.
Masks are recommended for anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, congestion or sore throat. Staff providing direct care to patients with suspected or confirmed respiratory illness will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Measles Precautions
Due to increased measles activity in some regions, masks may be required in certain clinical areas if a measles exposure risk is identified.
Visitors who:
• Have symptoms consistent with measles (fever, rash, cough, runny nose or red eyes),
• Have been recently exposed to measles, or
• Are unsure of their measles vaccination status
should postpone their visit until they have been evaluated and cleared by a healthcare provider.
Additional precautions may be implemented as needed based on public health guidance.
Emergency Department
Visitors are not allowed in the Emergency Department waiting room unless the patient is age 65 or older or is cognitively impaired, regardless of age. These patients may have one visitor with them in the waiting room or triage area.
For other patients, one visitor is allowed once the patient has been placed in a treatment room. Emergency Department visitors may leave and return.
Pediatric Emergency Department
One parent or guardian may accompany a pediatric patient in the waiting room. Once the child is placed in a room, two parents or guardians may be present.
Unit-Specific Guidelines
2 North (Cape Fear Valley Medical Center)
Overnight visitation is not permitted.
Cancer Centers
Visitors must be at least 12 years old and accompanied by an adult. No one under age 18 is allowed in chemotherapy infusion areas. Masks are optional unless otherwise directed by staff.
Labor and Delivery
Laboring mothers may have up to three designated support people who may come and go but may not switch with others during labor. Support people must be age 16 or older and may remain throughout the Labor and Delivery stay.
Family Centered Care Unit
Two visitors allowed at a time. Children age 6 and older may visit during visiting hours.
Pediatric Patients / Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Parents or legal guardians may visit at any time. Only parents or guardians may designate additional visitors. Children age 12 and older may visit but must be accompanied by an adult and may not stay overnight. No more than two visitors are allowed at the bedside at one time.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Two banded visitors and four additional designated visitors are allowed and must be registered at the unit desk. Only two visitors may be at the bedside at one time. Visitors may come and go except during physician rounds (6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.). Overnight stays are not permitted. Siblings may visit Saturdays and Sundays from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. if they are older than age 5 and have no signs of illness.
Care Companion
Patients who require a healthcare decision-maker or communication assistance may have one Care Companion present at all times. The Care Companion may be changed during visiting hours.
End-of-Life Patients
Up to four visitors may be present at the bedside. Visitors may rotate during the visit. Nursing supervisors may approve compassionate exceptions when appropriate.
