Harnett Health Visitation Policy
Visitation Update
Harnett Health facilities restricted visitation by children under 12 to certain units starting April 5, 2023. Visitors under the age of 12, with the exception of parents of patients, are currently not allowed in the
Inpatient Units, Emergency Departments, Pediatrics, and Labor/Delivery. Other areas of the hospital remain open for visitors aged 12 and older who are with a parent or guardian.
Patients who have not tested positive for COVID-19 will be allowed up to two visitors at a time, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and visitors may come and go during those hours. All patients are allowed to have one visitor stay overnight in their room if space allows, but overnight visitors must be in the hospital before visiting hours close, and cannot leave and return after 9 p.m., until visiting hours reopen the next day.
COVID-19 patients are allowed visitors during visitation hours daily, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and those visitors are not allowed to come and go during that time. COVID-19 visitors must remain masked and gowned during their entire visit.
In the Emergency Department, visitors will be allowed in the waiting room. These patients may have 2 visitors at a time unless modifications need to be made by Harnett Health Leadership.
The following exceptions and specifications are noted with this visitation policy:
- Surgery and procedural patients will be allowed one visitor in the pre-op area. Up to two visitors at a time may wait in the surgical waiting room if arriving with the patient. Visitors for surgery patients may be allowed a brief visit in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit if they are waiting to be admitted to the hospital. Once a surgery patient or procedural patient has been admitted, two visitors can go with the patient to their room.
- Labor and Delivery: Laboring mothers may have up to three designated support people, and those people cannot switch with other people during labor and delivery. Support people must be 16 years old or older.
- Pediatric patients: No more than two visitors at a time in the patient’s room. Parents/legal guardians may visit at any time. Only parents/legal guardians may add visitors to the list for pediatric patients. All visitors must be 12 years old or older.
- Patients who need a healthcare decision maker or require communication assistance may have one Care Companion with them at all times. The Care Companion may be changed during visiting hours.
- End of Life patients without COVID-19 may have up to four visitors at a time present at bedside. These visitors may be changed out during the End-of-Life visit. In certain circumstances, the nursing supervisor may allow for compassionate exceptions to this rule for End-of-Life patients.
- End of Life patients with COVID-19 may have one End of Life visit with up to four family members for a combined total visitation time of one hour. Only two visitors at a time may be present at bedside. In certain circumstances, the nursing supervisor may allow for compassionate exceptions to this rule for End-of-Life patients.
Even in the above situations, visitors with symptoms of a fever or respiratory illness symptoms, including cough or shortness of breath, should remain home.
A health-system supplied mask is no longer required for most visitors in patient care areas, with the exception of Emergency Department waiting rooms. In some patient rooms, treatment rooms, etc., visitors must wear an N95 respirator if so directed by the unit they are visiting. Cloth masks and neck gaiters are not allowed.
Please note: We will continue to monitor COVID-19 in our region, and our policy is subject to change and as new variants emerge.
Visitation Policy (PDF) – English
Visitation Policy (PDF) – Spanish