WakeMed Safely Eases Visitation Policy Across Its Facilities

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 25, 2020) – Recognizing the important role that a loved one at the bedside plays in the healing process, WakeMed is adjusting its visitation policy to allow one support person/visitor per patient per day in WakeMed facilities, effective Friday, June 26.

“This is not a step we are taking lightly,” says Donald Gintzig, president & CEO, WakeMed Health & Hospitals. “The safety of the WakeMed family and our patients has been front and center during many thoughtful discussions. We recognize our current visitation restrictions, while critically needed, have been difficult on patients, their families and staff, who have shared heartbreaking stories with us. We are putting into place a new visitation policy that, while less restrictive than our current policy, still allows us to maintain a safe environment.”

WakeMed’s facilities include our hospitals, healthplexes, physician practices, all outpatient services and any other locations. With limited exceptions, visiting hours for hospital patients will be 8 am to 8 pm, daily. Exceptions, updated visitor rules and additional information are available on our website.

Every support person/visitor will be screened and provided with a list of safety precautions to follow upon entry, and staff will ensure that visitors have the appropriate personal protective equipment (if needed). All visitors must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be screened with a temperature check and free of COVID-19 symptoms and any respiratory illness, fever, cough, diarrhea, etc. each time they enter a WakeMed facility.
• Wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times, except while drinking or eating in a WakeMed cafeteria. This includes inside patient rooms and in the presence of staff and providers. Masks can be from home or provided by WakeMed.
• Follow all social distancing and safety guidance. This includes staying 6 feet from others and frequent hand washing – especially before entering and exiting a patient room.

Due to the associated risk of COVID-19 transmission, patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 may not have visitors, except in the case of pediatric patients, end-of-life care or other special circumstances.

We also encourage and support efforts for our patients to communicate virtually with family and loved ones, using technology such as FaceTime and Skype. By working together, patients, support persons and staff can stay safe and prevent further spread of COVID-19.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all.

WakeMed’s 941-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, seven emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, more than 80 physician offices and Wake County’s only Level I Trauma Center. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes more than 9,800 employees, 1,500 volunteers, 1,300 affiliated physicians and 525 employed physicians, representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit wakemed.org.

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