FirstHealth relaxes some visitor restrictions; safety remains top priority

PINEHURST — Following a decision to resume many non-time sensitive procedures last month, FirstHealth of the Carolinas is relaxing some of the visitor restrictions in place at hospitals and clinics. 

Beginning June 17, the updated visitation policy will allow one support person or companion to accompany patients in all acute-care facilities and clinics. 

Safety measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place at all FirstHealth facilities. Visitors will be temperature screened prior to entering a FirstHealth facility, and all visitors are required to wear a face mask throughout their time in the hospital or clinic and when in the presence of hospital staff. 

Visitors should not visit FirstHealth locations if they have one or more of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, or if they have come in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. 

FirstHealth’s updated visitation policy allows the following: 

• Hospital Inpatient, Surgery and ICU patients — One healthy adult support person. Patients are encouraged to identify one support person for the duration of their stay.
• Hospital Outpatient (for example, lab testing, radiology imaging, cardiology testing, clinic appointments at a FirstHealth hospital) — One healthy adult support person.
• Emergency Department — One healthy adult support person.
• Women & Children’s — One healthy adult support person for laboring and obstetric patients for the duration of their stay.
• All FirstHealth Clinics — One healthy adult support person.

No visitation is allowed for COVID-19 positive patients or patients who are under investigation, except during end-of-life situations.

General visitation guidelines include:

• Visitation exceptions may be made based on specific situations such as end-of-life situations and the patient’s care provision requirements at the time of the visit request.
• All visitors are required to wear a face mask throughout their time in the hospital or clinic and when in the presence of hospital staff. 
• Visitors will be temperature screened prior to entering a FirstHealth hospital or clinic. FirstHealth will continue to limit entry access points on its hospital campuses to ensure proper screening.