Visitor Policies Due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Outbreak

*As the severity of the outbreak changes, visitor restrictions may also change.

Due to the growing spread of coronavirus / COVID-19 in North Carolina, Nash UNC Health Care announced that it will be enacting restrictions for visitors, vendors and volunteers at its facilities. Visitor Restrictions are a set of precautions the hospital takes to prevent the spread of illness to patients, visitors and staff.

Limited Entrances

Entry points have been limited in order to effectively manage the screenings. The entrances available for patients, visitors and staff to enter are:

• Nash General Hospital front lobby
• Emergency Department
• Heart Center
• Women's Center
• Mayo Surgery Pavilion (5:45am - 5:30pm)
• Nash Day Hospital (7:00am - 5:00pm)
• Cancer Center (7:00am - 4:30pm)
• Coastal Plain Hospital
• Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center
• Main Hospital Loading Dock (Staff & Vendors Only)

All other entry points will be disabled for entry, and only able to be opened for exiting the building.

Health Screening

All patients, visitors, vendors and staff will be subject to health screening upon entrance.

The staff member performing the health screening will ask about symptoms associated with respiratory illness. If a patient, visitor, or staff member meet the risk factors in the screening questions, they may be directed to self-isolate and contact their primary care provider or the Health Department.

Temperature checks will be performed at all entrances. Some entrances have technology that automatically checks temperature when walking by, others will have a staff member use a hand-held temperature checking device.

Mask Policy for Patients & Visitors

Nash UNC requires all patients, visitors and staff members to wear a mask while on the Nash UNC campus. Masks will be issued upon arrival if you do not already have one. Wearing a mask is one of the best ways to reduce COVID transmission. To learn more about how we are keeping you safe during a visit to our facilities, visit our safety when seeking medical care page.

Additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gowns and gloves, may be required depending on who you are visiting and that patient’s situation. 

Visitors

Two designated, screened visitors per patient for the duration of the patient’s stay will be permitted in the majority of patient areas at Nash UNC Health Care.

• Pediatric patients will be allowed two designated, screened visitors/guardians per patient.

• Children 12 and under are exempt from the designated visitor count. (Ex: if a designated visitor has a child 12 or under, the child may accompany the parent/guardian to visit without it impacting the other designated visitor. Children 13 and older who visit will count toward the designated visitor maximum).

• Visitors who are over the age of 65, pregnant or immunocompromised are discouraged from visiting, for their own safety.

Nash Women's Center

The Nash UNC Women’s Center will allow three designated visitors, but only two may visit the patient at the same time. This visitation change for the Women’s Center more closely aligns with other UNC system and area hospital birthing centers. It also helps accommodate patient birthing plans that may include additional support (ex: a doula) for the birthing mother. Children 12 and under are permitted with a designated visitor and are exempt from the designated visitor maximum.

Emergency Department

There are no changes to the Emergency Department or Pediatric Emergency Department visitation guidelines at this time. The Emergency Department (ED) will continue to allow only one designated visitor per non-COVID patient. For COVID or COVID suspected patients in the ED, visitors are not permitted.

The Pediatric Emergency Department will continue to allow two designated visitors per patient.

Visitation for COVID Positive Patients

COVID inpatients will be allowed one designated visitor during scheduled times by the unit. Visitors will be required to put on full personal protective equipment (PPE) for the duration of the visit and must remove the PPE appropriately after the visit. Nash UNC staff members will assist with PPE education. (Please note: For their safety, children are not permitted to visit COVID patients.)

For all policies, visitor exceptions will be granted for end of life situations, or extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the care team.

Vendors / Contractors

Only vendors and contractors who are essential to patient care and business operations will be allowed onsite on an as-needed basis. Vendors and contractors who do not directly support patient care and critical business operations should work remotely and will not be allowed in Nash UNC Health Care facilities until further notice.

Volunteers

Hospital volunteers should not report to Nash UNC Health Care facilities until further notice.

Students

Effective August 1st, 2020, students are allowed to come back to Nash UNC Health Care's campus for onsite training and shadowing.