Visiting Patients at UNC Health Chatham

Rest is an important part of patient’s care and so is the comfort of brief visits by friends and relatives. To ensure that visits do not become an undue strain on patients, visitation hours have been suggested but can be modified based upon the patient's needs and wishes. They vary depending on the severity of the patient’s illness and the patient’s location in the hospital.

To make sure that visits do not become an undue strain on any patients, visitors should observe the following rules and regulations:

  • Children are not to be left unattended on UNC Health Chatham property.
  • Visitors should dress appropriately; shoes and shirts are required at all times.
  • Visitors will be asked not to sit on patient's bed or use patient's bathroom.
  • Visitors may be requested to leave the room during treatments and procedures.
  • The use of all tobacco products is prohibited on the campus of UNC Health Chatham, including the hospital campus, outside facilities, business entities, vehicles, parking lots and sidewalks adjacent to hospital property.
  • Visitors restrooms are located off the Atrium across from the HIM Department; in the hallway near the Dining Room; and in the ED Waiting Area.
  • Visitors must always check with the nurse before giving candy, beverages, food or "home medicines". Food brought in from the outside may not be stored in hospital refrigerators.
  •  Visitors and patients are asked to speak quietly to avoid unnecessary noise, including talking on cell phones in common areas.
  • Visitors may be restricted under the following circumstances:
    • Infection Control Issues;
    • Visitation which may interfere with the care, rights, and/or safety of other patients;
    • UNC Health Chatham is aware there is an existing court order restricting contact;
    • Visitor engages in disruptive, threatening or violent behavior of any kind;
    • Patient is under involuntary commitment or substance abuse treatment orders;
    • Patient is undergoing care interventions involving sterile procedure.

Emergency Department

  • The number of visitors at one time is dependent on patient needs and is determined on a case by case evaluation. Two visitors at a time is the recommended maximum.
  • Visitors should clean their hands upon entering and leaving the patient's room
  • Patients in isolation are discouraged from having children visit; patients on TB precautions MAY NOT have children visit.
  • Visitors who are sick should not enter the ED to visit patients.
  • Visitors must remain at the bedside, not in the ED common areas or at the Nurse's Station. If requested to leave the bedside for any procedure or tests, visitors must wait in the ED Waiting Room, ICU Waiting Room, and/or Atrium.
  • Children under the age of 12, unless being seen by the physician, should be supervised in the waiting room.
  • The Charge Nurse may cancel/limit visiting privileges at any time if visitation would interfere with the care of the patient and/or the care of other patients.

Medical/Surgical Inpatients and Intermediate Medical/Surgical Inpatients

  • Open visitation hours are supported within the medical/surgical inpatient unit. Two visitors at a time is the recommended maximum due to room layouts.
  • Visitors may remain at the patient's bedside, but the Charge Nurse may cancel/limit visiting at any time if visitation would interfere with the care of the patient and/or the care of other patients. A waiting area is available 24 hours a day and is shared between Medical/Surgical and Intermediate Medical/Surgical families.
  • Patients on isolation restrictions are discouraged from having children visit; patients on TB precautions MAY NOT have children visit
  • Visitors are encouraged to wash their hands upon entering and leaving the patient's room
  • Visitors who display signs of illness should not enter the Medical/Surgical Unit to visit patients.

Maternity Care Center (MCC)

  • Open visitation is supported. Limiting of visitors per room is recommended:

  • Visitors may remain at the patient's bedside, but the Charge Nurse may cancel/limit visiting at any time if visitation would interfere with the care of the patient and/or the care of other patients. A waiting area is available 24 hours a day.

  • Patients on isolation restrictions are discouraged from having children visit; patients on TB precautions MAY NOT have children visit.

  • Visitors are encouraged to wash their hands upon entering and leaving the patient's room

  • Visitors who display signs of illness should not enter the MCC to visit patients.