Visitor Guidelines for Duke Health Hospitals and Clinics

• Masking is strongly recommended throughout patient care areas and is required in some areas. Masks should be worn properly. Cover your nose and mouth at all times.
• All visitors must be age 12+. (Visitors in some clinical areas must be age 18+.)
• A maximum of two visitors are allowed per patient at a time. Only one visitor is allowed in some care spaces, including Emergency Departments.
• Duke Health visiting hours are from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm. (Visiting hours at Duke University Hospital are 6:00 am - 9:00 pm.)
• Visitors must check in at the hospital information desk to receive a visitor badge to enter inpatient areas.
• Visitor badges must be returned so that others will be able to visit.
• Minors must be attended by an adult age 18+ at all times.
• 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 but not limited to patients with highly communicable diseases, as dictated by Infection Prevention, 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 but not limited to permit compassionate care visitors. The visitor badge process may vary at Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital.

A maximum of two visitors age 12+ are allowed per patient at a time. Switching is allowed.

One overnight visitor age 18+ is permitted; no switching allowed. If visitor leaves the hospital after 9:00 pm, visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8:00 am.

If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by 8:00 am the following day.

A maximum of two visitors age 12+ are allowed per patient at a time. 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 9:00 pm., visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8:00 am.
• If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by 8:00 am the following day.

A maximum of two visitors age 12+ are allowed per patient at a time. One visitor is allowed in labor and delivery OR. Switching is allowed.

Two overnight visitors age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of patient, are permitted in labor & delivery; two 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 9:00 pm, visitor will not be permitted to re-enter until visiting hours begin the following day at 8:00 am.

If a visitor stays overnight and would like to stay the following day, they must check in and receive a new identification badge by 8:00 am the following day.

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

Up to two visitors age 12+ are allowed to visit; switching is allowed.

One visitor is permitted in the treatment space. One visitor is permitted to wait in the lobby.

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

Up to two visitors age 18+, unless parent or caregiver of pediatric patient, with two adults in clinical area; switching is allowed.

Up to two visitors ages 12+. Switching is allowed.

Up to two visitors ages 12+. Switching is allowed.

Up to two visitors ages 12+. Switching is allowed.

Up to two visitors ages 12+. 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