Duke Health Eases Some Patient Visitation Rules at its Hospitals
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DURHAM, N.C. -- Based on the current prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, increasing vaccination rates and its continued adherence to safety protocols, Duke Health has eased some visitor restrictions for inpatients at its three hospitals.
Effective today, adult inpatients at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital will be able to designate two support people age 18 or older to visit for their entire hospital stay. Additionally, both designated visitors may be in the patient’s room at the same time.
“We recognize that the care and support of loved ones is an integral part of our patients’ recovery and wellbeing,” said Thomas Owens, M.D., senior vice president of Duke University Health System. “We are grateful for the community’s understanding over the past year as we’ve worked to balance these important patient interests with the public health priority to reduce the spread of COVID. We will continue to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in our communities to guide any additional changes to the policy.”
Visiting hours at the three hospitals will remain 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
All visitors will still be required to undergo daily health screenings and wear a mask at all times in Duke Health facilities. People will not be allowed to wait in the lobby or waiting rooms, but should remain in the patient room.
Visitation is still not allowed for patients on adult units who have or are under investigation for COVID-19. Other exceptions -- including those for end-of-life care, patients giving birth, emergency departments and pediatric patients -- will remain the same. A full description of the visitation rules is available at https://www.dukehealth.org/VisitorRestrictions