Visitor Restrictions in Place

Duke Health Hospital Locations (Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital)

Adult inpatients may designate one support person age 18 or older for the entire length of stay in the hospital.

• When entering the building, the designated visitor will be required to show a form of photo identification.
• Visitation hours are from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.
• All visitors will be screened daily and required to wear a mask while in the hospital and on campus.
• No visitors are allowed to wait in the lobby or waiting rooms. Visitors should remain in the patient room and are discouraged from leaving and re-entering the facility during visitor hours.

Two parents/guardian visitors may stay with a patient in a pediatric area in the hospital.

• Pediatric surgical patients are allowed two parent/guardian visitors. Only one parent/guardian visitor is allowed in the surgical patient care area during pre-operative and post-operative care.

There will be no visitors for COVID-19 patients or patients under investigation for COVID-19, with exceptions made for end-of-life care.

Duke Health Emergency Department

No visitors are allowed to wait in the Emergency Department lobby or waiting rooms with the following exceptions:

• One support person will be allowed for pediatric patients.
• One support person may be allowed for patients who cannot otherwise safely navigate their visit or participate in their care. This will be determined at the discretion of the care team.

One support person 18 years or older will be permitted to enter the facility after screening and go to the patient’s bedside once they are assigned an ED treatment room.

Laboring mothers may designate two support people, which could include a doula.

• After birth, patients may designate one support person for the entire length of stay in the hospital.
• Visiting hours do not apply to these visitors.

Patients receiving same-day surgery may designate one support person to join him/her before and after his/her procedure.

Visitors who are over 65, pregnant or immunocompromised are discouraged from visiting.

Exceptions may be made only under special circumstances, such as end-of-life care, with approval by the patient’s care team.

Visitation Guidelines for Duke Health Outpatient Surgery

• Outpatient surgical patients are allowed one visitor to accompany them to facilitate care for a procedure or same-day surgery.
• Pediatric surgical patients are allowed two parent/guardian visitors. Only one parent/guardian visitor will be allowed in the surgical patient care area during pre-operative and post-operative care.
• Visitors will be screened alongside patients prior to entering the clinic.
• The visitor will be required to remain in a designated waiting room during the procedure or surgery. Learn more about visitation guidelines at Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke University Hospital.

Visitation Guidelines for Outpatient Clinics

• One visitor over 12 years of age is allowed to accompany each patient to an appointment unless an additional aide or assistant is required.
• Visitors will be screened alongside patients prior to entering the clinic.

All visitors will wear masks in addition to our team members and patients who can tolerate them. Visitors may bring their own mask, or one will be provided.

If visitors are feeling ill, they should refrain from visiting. No visitor with fever, cough, cold or flu-like symptoms will be permitted to enter.

All visitors will be required to pass a health screening at one of our designated entry points. These screenings require everyone to sanitize their hands, have their temperature checked, put on a mask, and answer questions about symptoms of illness and exposure risks prior to entering the hospital.

Designated visitors who pass the daily screening will be given a color-coded wristband or a badge to quickly identify them as approved visitors for the day. 

No one should visit a patient if they have come into contact with someone who is under investigation or tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

We are taking precautions to keep everyone safe and protected from possible exposure to COVID-19 during appointments, surgeries, and procedures at our hospitals and clinics. We are confident we can provide safe, essential care. The well-being of our patients, visitors, and staff remains our top priority. Learn about the safety precautions we have in place.

If you have respiratory symptoms  -- congestion, runny nose, cough, fever, and shortness of breath -- or are concerned that you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, please take the following precautions to seek care. Designated respiratory triage and care clinics are available throughout the Triangle to help us keep your care separate from individuals with other medical needs who do not have symptoms of coronavirus and other respiratory illnesses.

If you’re concerned that you’ve been exposed or have a general question about COVID-19 call:

• North Carolina COVID-19 Hotline: 866-462-3821 (open 24 hours, seven days a week). 
• For non-emergency COVID-19 questions: Call 211 or text “COVIDNC” to 898211
• Duke Health COVID-19 Hotline: 919-385-0429 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm, seven days a week) 

Learn more about how to receive care.