Wayne UNC Health Care’s one visitor-policy remains in place as the system works to slow the spread of COVID-19 in its facility.

Effective Monday, Dec. 14, the hospital will also roll out a new Threshold Visitor Management System for registering and tracking visitors inside the hospital in support of the visitor policy. The system will boost security and help Wayne UNC teammates more effectively monitor traffic inside the hospital.

“At Wayne UNC Health Care, we understand the important role visitors and family members play in the healing process,” said Wayne UNC Director of Infection Control, Chanda Newsome. “Our policy and visitor management system are in place as supports to the other safety precautions we’ve taken during the pandemic.”

Wayne UNC’s visitor policy is designed to lower the potential for spread by limiting the number of potentially infected people visiting the hospital. All visitors undergo a screening process, and the team has put in place safety and cleaning protocols to protect all patients and visitors.

Visitors to Wayne UNC must:

Pass a health screening. Visitors with fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, cold or flu-like symptoms will not be permitted to enter the hospital and are encouraged to stay home.

Not have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days

Be over the age of 18

Present driver’s license or other ID for registration in the visitor management system

Wear and maintain mask over their nose and mouth at all times

Consider not visiting if you are pregnant or immunocompromised

The visitor management system will create a temporary badge for patients to wear during their visit. The badge will expire after 24 hours.

In most inpatient areas, only one visitor will be permitted at a time for the safety of patients and families visiting the hospital. Due to the size of the hospital’s ICU rooms and limited ability to socially distance, ICU visitation is further limited to one 30-minute visit daily, between 3-6 p.m.

Outpatients having surgery or a procedure may have one visitor.  Outpatients requiring assistance navigating their appointment may also have a screened companion.  Patients under COVID-19 investigation or COVID positive may not have any visitors unless approved for visitation due to end of life care. We understand visitor restrictions can be frustrating, especially when dealing with difficult health concerns, but it is important to minimize exposure to our patients and care team during this pandemic.

“We encourage patients’ loved ones to use electronic communication for “virtual visitation,” like Face Time and Skype, in place of in-person visitation wherever possible,” said Newsome.

For more information on the updated visitor policy, please visit waynehealth.org.