Visitation and Mask Policies as of April 2, 2025

Starting Wednesday, April 2, Cape Fear Valley Health is returning to normal visitation and masking policies.

            Key Changes to Visitation Policy

Minimum Age Requirement:

  • Visitors must now be 6 years or older in most areas.
  • All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Visitation Hours:

  • Remain 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation Badges stop being made at 7:45 p.m., unless the visitor will be staying overnight with patient. All visitors must show valid photo ID at visitation check-in.
  • Overnight visitors are permitted if space allows but must arrive before visiting hours end.

Symptom Restrictions:

  • Visitors with fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms should stay home.

Emergency Department Restrictions:

  • Visitors allowed only once patients are assigned a room.
    • Exceptions for:
      • Patients 65 years or older.
      • Cognitively impaired patients.
      • Pediatric patients (one parent/guardian allowed in waiting areas).

 

Exceptions to Visitation Policy

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center's 2 North unit does not allow overnight visitation.

Cancer Centers:

  • No visitors under 12. No visitors under 18 allowed in chemotherapy infusion areas.

Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital's minimum visitor age is 12.

Labor & Delivery:

  • Up to three designated support persons, aged 16+.
  • Support persons can come and go but cannot switch with others during labor and delivery.

Family Centered Care Unit:

  • Maximum of two visitors at a time.
  • Visitors under the minimum age are allowed if they are siblings of the newborn.

Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU):

  • Parents/legal guardians may visit at any time.
  • Visitors aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Maximum of two visitors at a time.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU):

  • Two banded visitors and four other designated visitors allowed.
  • Visitors can come and go except during physician rounds:
    • 6:30–9:30 a.m. and 6:30–7:30 p.m.
  • Siblings aged 12 and older may visit on weekends (1:30–5:30 p.m.) if symptom-free.

End of Life Patients:

  • Up to four visitors at a time at the bedside.
  • Visitors may rotate during the visit.
  • Compassionate exceptions may be granted by the nursing supervisor.

Patients Needing Assistance:

  • Patients requiring a healthcare decision maker or communication aid may have one Care Companion with them at all times (can be changed during visiting hours).

Updated Mask Policy

  • Staff: Masks required in the following areas:
    • When interacting with patients with respiratory illness symptoms.
    • Strongly recommended for all other patient encounters.
  • Visitors: Masks are strongly recommended for visitors but not mandatory (except in Emergency Departments and ExpressCare locations for symptomatic patients). People experiencing respiratory symptoms should not enter facilities as a visitor.