Visiting a Patient

Visitors make a hospital stay more pleasant and are important to a patient's recovery.  New Hanover Regional Medical Center recognizes the value of having family support and has incorporated a family-centered design into the layout of each of the newly redesigned patient units and rooms.  Throughout the Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital, visitors will find private spaces for family members and room to stay overnight.  Similar accommodations are available at Cape Fear Hospital and are being made throughout the main patient tower at NHRMC as each unit is renovated, two floors at a time, through the end of 2010. 

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are flexible and determined by the patients in collaboration with their care providers.  Some reasons visitation may be restricted include:

• The patient requests a limit on visitors.  If the patient is a minor, or incapacitated, the legal guardian can limit visitors.
• The patient is resting.
• The patient is undergoing a medical or therapeutic procedure.
• The caregiver decides visitors should be limited.

• The visitor's behavior is disruptive to patient care.

Other Guidelines

• Please don't visit if you have had a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, sore throat or cold within the last 24 hours.  It is importat to restrict exposure in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.  When a patient requests visitation, staff members will provide the visitor with a mask and other protective equipment.
• Please be respectful of other patients and talk quietly.
• Please dress appropriately.  Shirts and shoes are required.

• Please talk to the patient's nurse about dietary restrictions before bringing a patient food.

Special Departments

Some departments and hospitals within NHRMC have particular guidelines.  Please visit the following pages for more information about visiting patients in the following area:

• Betty H. Cameron Women's and Children's Hospital
• NHRMC Behavioral Health Hospital