Family and Visitor Guidelines

Updated March 6, 2023

Effective Tuesday, March 7 at 7 am, visitor restrictions for children age 12 and under will be lifted at all Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist inpatient locations except in critical care areas (ICU, Burn Unit, etc.). Learn more.

Updated June 29, 2022

This affects all Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist locations.

We know how important it can be to have someone by your side when you seek medical care. As we navigate each new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Atrium Health is continually reevaluating our visitor policies. And we’re setting the national standard for COVID-Safe care, with enhanced safety measures across all locations.

Before your next visit, please review our latest visitor policies, restrictions and exceptions. If you have any questions or concerns, your care team is here to help.

At All Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centers, Clinics and Other Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Locations

  • Visitors must:
    • Wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times (except while eating in select areas)
    • Have a health screening when they enter the building or during registration when visiting clinics
    • Be in good health (free from respiratory illness, fever, cough, etc.)
    • Follow all social distancing and safety guidance. This includes wearing masks, staying six feet from others and hand washing.
  • If a visitor does not follow the guidance above, it can cause serious safety concerns. They will be escorted out of the building to keep our patients and staff safe.

Virtual Options for Visitation

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist understands the importance of keeping our patients and the people who care about them connected. Our goal is to help families and friends stay in touch. Atrium Health staff can share the resources and technology available to help patients communicate with other family and friends. Atrium Health encourages the use of FaceTime, Skype and other live video platforms to stay in touch with people in the medical center. In many medical center areas, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist can provide tablets to those who don't have the technology to communicate with loved ones.

Except as noted below, all areas of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist are fully open to visitors.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center- Winston Salem Campus is experiencing significant parking constraints due to ongoing construction. Visitation will remain limited to 2 visitors per inpatient and 1 visitor per outpatient/ambulatory patient to ensure adequate parking access for all patients and support persons.

Medical Centers

  • Visitation times for medical centers are daily from 6 am to 8 pm.
  • Patients under 18 may have 2 parents or guardians present any time of day.
  • 1 healthy adult family member/support person age 18 or older may stay overnight with the patient if accommodations allow, or if space permits. Overnight support person must stay at the patient’s bedside.
  • Intensive Care Unit adult patients may have 2 visitors per day age 12 and older.
  • Special circumstances, including end-of-life, will be managed by treating physician and nursing unit leadership. If a visitor or support person becomes sick or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, they must exit the medical center immediately. 
  • Please note that specialty units will be managed by unit-specific guidelines. 

Brenner Children’s Hospital

  • General Inpatient Units:
    • Patients admitted to the general inpatient units may have up to 2 healthy parents/guardians/grandparents at all times.
  • Pediatric Critical Care Units (PICU/NICU):
    • Patients may have 2 parents/guardians/adult visitors age 18 and older at the bedside.
  • Pediatric Surgical patients may have 2 healthy parents/guardians accompany them.
  • Brenner ED patients may have 2 parents/guardians accompany them at all times.

Emergency Departments and Urgent Care

  • Visitation hours in the Emergency Departments are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Emergency Department adult patients may have 1 visitor due to limited space.
  • Emergency Department pediatric patients may have 2 parents/guardians/grandparents accompany them.
  • Visitation hours in Urgent Care are during hours of operation.
  • Behavioral Health Emergency Departments will not allow visitors for adult patients because of limited space.

Hospitalized Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or Suspected COVID-19 (i.e., Being Tested for COVID-19)

  • Visitors are allowed.
  • Visitor must wear a surgical mask that covers their nose and mouth or non-fit tested N95/KN95 mask.
  • Visitor may choose to wear a gown, gloves, and eye protection. These items will be provided upon request.
  • Visitor must remain in the patient’s room with the door closed.
  • Visitors will not be allowed if the patient is receiving an aerosolizing procedure (i.e., BiPAP).
  • Nursing leadership will monitor patients who are receiving aerosolizing treatments to assess if an in-person visit will occur.
  • If it becomes evident a visit is necessary, nursing will work with the attending physician to coordinate the visit.

Clinics/Ambulatory

  • Visitors must:
    • For age 2 and older, wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times (except while eating in select areas)
    • Have a health screening when they enter the building
    • Be in good health (free from respiratory illness, fever, cough, etc.)
    • Follow all social distancing and safety guidance. This includes wearing masks and hand washing.

Clinic/Ambulatory Patients with COVID-19

  • Visitor must wear a surgical mask or a non-fit tested N95/KN95 mask if visitor prefers, that covers their nose and mouth.
  • Visitors may be directed to a separate entrance.

If a patient or family member feels their visitation rights have been violated, they may contact department leadership on their loved one’s unit, Patient Experience – 336-713-2273, the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-624-3004, or CMS Region 4 office ROATLORA@cms.hhs.gov.   

Additionally, patients or their family may contact: