Visitor Guidelines for Duke Health Hospitals and Clinics

• Masking is strongly recommended throughout patient care areas, and it is required in some areas. Please follow posted signage and unit guidelines. (Duke Health-issued ear loop masks will be provided. Bandanas and gaiters are not permitted.)
• Visiting Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.
• Visitors must check in at the hospital information desk to receive a visitor badge.
• All visitors must be ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult 18+ at all times.*
• A maximum of two visitors are allowed per patient at a time.*
• Visitors must check out upon departure using a kiosk or with information desk staff.
• Visitors with fever, cough, or other flu-like symptoms should not visit.
• Visitors will be asked to present photo identification when entering the building.
• Visitors must adhere to infection control procedures, including wearing personal protective equipment where indicated.
• As part of our commitment to ensuring Duke Health is a safe place to work and receive care, weapons detection systems are currently utilized at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital, a campus of Duke University Hospital. All patients, visitors, and non-credentialed vendors will be screened upon entry into our campus buildings. 

*Additional visitation and masking precautions may apply to certain patient populations, including without limitation, COVID-19/Special Airborne Contact, oncology, end-of-life, and overnight visitors. Please follow all unit guidelines and posted signage. Additionally, exceptions to visitation restrictions may be granted based on special circumstances, including without limitation, to permit Compassionate Care Visitors. 

Standard patients: 

• All visitors must be ages 12+. A maximum of two visitors are allowed per patient at a time. Minors must be attended by an adult 18+; switching is allowed.
• One overnight visitor age 18+ is permitted; no switching allowed. If visitor leaves the hospital after 9 p.m., visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8 a.m.
• If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by noon the following day.

COVID-19/Special Airborne Contact patients: 

• One visitor age 18+ to visit in room; switching is allowed.
• No eating or drinking in patient rooms as this is a high-risk activity for the spread of infection.
• Must remain in patient room and may not visit any other locations in the facility.
  • One overnight visitor age 18+ is permitted; no switching allowed. If visitor leaves the hospital after 9 pm, visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8 a.m.
  • If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by noon the following day.
  • All visitors must wear required personal protective equipment.

Standard patients: 

• All visitors must be ages 12+. A maximum of two visitors are allowed per patient at a time. Minors must be attended by an adult 18+; switching is allowed.
• Two overnight visitors age 18+, unless a parent or caregiver of patient, are permitted. No switching allowed.
• If visitor leaves the hospital after 9 p.m., visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8 a.m.
• If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by noon the following day.

COVID-19/Special Airborne Contact patients: 

• Two visitors age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of pediatric patient; switching is allowed.
• Must remain in patient room and may not visit any other locations in the facility.
• One overnight visitor age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of patient. No switching allowed.
• If visitor leaves the hospital after 9 p.m., visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8 a.m.
• If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by noon the following day.
• All visitors must wear required personal protective equipment.

Standard patients: 

• All visitors must be ages 12+. A maximum of two visitors are allowed per patient at a time. Minors must be attended by an adult 18+. Two visitors in labor & delivery; one visitor allowed in labor & delivery OR; switching is allowed.
• Two overnight visitors age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of patient, are permitted in labor & delivery; one visitor in post-partum; no switching allowed.
• For new patients, visitors may arrive at any time. For subsequent nights, if visitor leaves the hospital after 9 p.m., visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8 a.m.
• If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by noon the following day.

COVID-19 patients/Special Airborne Contact patients: 

• One visitor age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of pediatric patient, switching is allowed.
• One overnight visitor age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of patient; no switching allowed.
• Must remain in patient room and may not visit any other locations in the facility.
• For new patients, visitors may arrive at any time. For subsequent nights, if visitor leaves the hospital after 9 p.m., visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8 a.m.
• If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by noon the following day.
• All visitors must wear required personal protective equipment.

Standard patients:

• A maximum of four visitors are allowed per patient. Switching is allowed in main lobby or outside the facility.

COVID-19 patients/Special Airborne Contact patients:

• A maximum of two visitors are allowed per patient. Switching is allowed in main lobby or outside the facility.
• Must remain in patient room and may not visit any other locations in the facility.
• No eating or drinking in patient rooms as this is a high-risk activity for the spread of infection.
• All visitors must wear required personal protective equipment.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+ are allowed per patient. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+.
• One visitor is allowed to visit in the room; switching is allowed.
• One visitor is allowed to wait in the lobby; switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors age 18+ are allowed per patient, with one in clinical area; switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of pediatric patient; switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+; Switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+; Switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+; Switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+; Switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+; Switching is allowed.

• Up to two visitors ages 12+. Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+; Switching is allowed.

Compassionate Care Visitors
Individuals who request to visit a patient who is experiencing any of the following circumstances: (a) end-of-life situations; (b) the patient was living with his or her family before recently being admitted to the facility and is struggling with the change in environment and lack of physical family support; (c) the patient is grieving after a friend of family member recently passed away; (d) a patient who needs cueing and encouragement with eating or drinking, previously provided by family or caregivers, is experiencing weight loss or dehydration; or (e) the patient used to talk and interact with others, but is experiencing emotional distress, seldom speaking, or crying more frequently when the patient rarely cried in the past. A patient’s care team shall determine whether a patient is entitled to Compassionate Care Visitors. Patients have the right to withdraw or deny their consent to one or more Compassionate Care Visitors at any time. 

The persons and agencies tasked with investigating violations of hospital patient visitation are:

• Duke University Hospital (Patient & Visitor Relations): 919-681-2020, option 3
• Duke Regional Hospital (Patient & Visitor Relations): 919-470-4747
• Duke Raleigh Hospital, a campus of Duke University Hospital (Patient & Visitor Relations): 919-862-5848
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: 919-855-4800