COVID-19 Visitor Restrictions in Place

Revised 1/04/2022

As the community’s positive test rate and the health system’s COVID-19 admissions continue to trend upward, Harnett Health System is making the following modifications to the current visitation policy. These changes will go into effect on Tuesday, January 4th.

Mask On Policy

Visitors and patients in all Harnett Health facilities and clinics are required to properly wear a mask and/or PPE. Masks must remain on at all times, even in patients’ rooms or the visitor will be asked to leave. This mask policy will be strictly enforced.

Inpatient Visitation:

• Visitation hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

• At this time visitors under the age of 18 years old are not permitted to enter the facilities.

• Adult Inpatients:

• Adult inpatients may have TWO Visitors, ONE entry per day, age 18 or older in their room at a time.
• Once they leave they may not re-enter on the same day.

• COVID-19 Inpatients:

• Inpatients with COVID-19 or patients under investigation for COVID-19 in adult units may have ONE Visitor, ONE entry per day, age 18 or older.
• Visitors must wear appropriate PPE and stay in the room for the entire visit.
• No eating or drinking allowed in the patient room.
• Once they leave they may not re-enter on the same day.
• Pediatrics Inpatients:
  • Pediatric inpatients may have TWO, parent/legal guardian, visitors age 18 or older in their room at a time, ONE entry per day.
  • Once they leave they may not re-enter on the same day.
  • ONE, parent/legal guardian, visitor age 18 or older may stay overnight with the Pediatric inpatient.
• Labor and Delivery:
  • L&D patients are may have TWO visitors age of 18 or older in their room at a time, ONE entry per day.
  • No other visitors are allowed at this time.
  • Visitors are not allowed to switch out with other people.
  • Once they leave they may not re-enter on the same day.
• Emergency Department:
  • Emergency Department adult patients may have ONE visitor, ONE entry per day and patients under the age of 18 may have TWO visitors, ONE entry per day.
  • Visiting hours do not apply to visitors in the Emergency Department. However, if the patient is admitted or boarded while waiting on a bed, visitation hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Visitors may wait with the ER patient in the ER waiting area.
  • Once visitors leave they may not re-enter on the same day.

Outpatient Visitation:

• Outpatient Surgical:
  • Outpatient adult surgical patients will be allowed ONE visitor age 18 or older.
  • Outpatient pediatric surgical patients will be allowed TWO, parent/legal guardian, visitors age 18 or older. Both of these visitors for pediatric surgical outpatients will be allowed in the surgical patient care area during pre-operative and post-operative care.
  • The visitors will be required to remain in the patient care room during the procedure or surgery.
• Outpatient Services:
  • ONE visitor age 18 or older is allowed to accompany each patient per service.
• Outpatient Clinics:
  • ONE visitor age 18 or older is allowed to accompany each patient to an appointment.
• Outpatient Oncology Clinic:
  • ONE visitor age 18 or older is allowed to accompany each patient to an appointment.
  • Other visitor exclusions for this clinic are communicated by the clinic at the time of the appointment.

Wristbands: Visitors who pass the health screening may be given a wristband. Every day, each approved visitor needs to go through screening again, and visitors of patients in the hospital must check in/out when they are visiting.

Checking In/Out: Visitors in our facilities must check in and out at the designated entry, so may be able to visit, if permissible.

Please be aware of these additional visitation restrictions in place:

• Health Screenings:
  • All visitors will be required to pass a health screening at one of our designated entry points.
  • No visitor with fever, cough, cold or flu-like symptoms will be permitted to enter the facility.
  • No one should visit a patient if they have come into contact with someone who is under investigation or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days.
  • Visitors who are over 65, pregnant or immunocompromised are discouraged from visiting.
• Waiting Rooms/Lobbies: The waiting rooms/lobbies are closed to visitors. We encourage additional visitors not to wait on campus.

**ED visitors may wait with the patient in the ED waiting room.**

• Virtual Connection: We encourage loved ones to use FaceTime, Skype and phone calls to visit with patients.