Visitor Guidelines

Updated Visitor Guidelines

Updated March 27, 2023

Wearing a mask is now optional at most Atrium Health care locations. This is because there has been a steady decrease of COVID-19 hospitalizations and the number of positive tests throughout the region.

If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please do. Wearing a mask can protect you and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are especially helpful in places where it’s hard to practice physical distance. Some providers will still choose to wear a mask, and you may ask for those caring for you to wear one.

Masks will still be required in certain areas, such as the Emergency Department and all cancer care locations, to help protect those vulnerable to respiratory viruses. If you’ve been exposed to flu, RSV or COVID-19, or you’re experiencing symptoms, you should wear a well-fitting mask covering your nose and mouth. We also encourage that you stay up to date on recommended COVID-19, flu and other vaccines.

We will continue to monitor conditions within the community in case mask requirements are needed to help prevent the spread of viruses.

Masking Change Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren’t we requiring masks everywhere?

The amount of COVID-19 cases in our community is low enough to stop requiring everyone to wear a mask.

What if I still want to wear a mask, or for providers to wear a mask around me?

We want you to be comfortable, and you are welcome to wear a mask. We’re also happy to wear our masks if you ask us to. Just be sure to let your nurse or any of our care providers know.

Why do I have to wear a mask in the Emergency Department waiting room?

We see a lot of people come through our emergency departments, and there is often limited space in our waiting rooms. To protect everyone, we’re all wearing masks until after you’ve been triaged and we’ve determined if you should continue to mask or not.

Why do I have to wear a mask at some cancer care locations?

Some patients in some of our cancer care areas have weakened immune systems from bone marrow transplants and other procedures. Wearing a mask when you enter these areas protects people who are more vulnerable.

Why do I have to wear a mask if I have a cough/runny nose/fever/been exposed to COVID?

Because you have symptoms of an illness that can be spread through the air or have been exposed to COVID-19, wearing a mask protects our teammates and everyone around you.

Why are some of you wearing masks?

Some are wearing masks as a personal choice. Some are wearing masks because they work in areas that still require them. And some are wearing a mask because they are following CDC guidelines after having an illness or being exposed to COVID-19. None of our teammates should be working when sick.

Could I be required to wear a mask again in the future at Atrium Health sites?

Yes. Masking requirements may change at any time due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

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.). Inpatient locations now open to visitors age 12 and under:

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Brenner Children’s Hospital
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Davie Medical Center
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Lexington Medical Center
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Wilkes Medical Center

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is experiencing significant parking constraints due to ongoing construction, so hospitalized patients remain limited to two healthy visitors at a time and those arriving for outpatient visits at the Medical Center may bring one visitor. All other Wake Forest Baptist locations will be fully open to visitors.

As always, anyone planning to visit patients at any hospital should be healthy and should not have fever, cough, colds or stomach virus symptoms.

Visitor Registration Kiosks

We recently introduced a new visitor registration process at each designated entrance at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (Winston-Salem campus), using kiosk technology. All those without Medical Center ID badges must register at the point of entry. Once you pass our routine health screening upon arrival, our screeners will partner with you to complete the kiosk registration process.

Please enter the medical center to register at these designated entry locations:

Janeway Tower, Ground Floor entry (near parking deck entrance, orange level)
North Tower, Main Floor entry (near horseshoe driveway)
Adult Emergency Department front door
Pediatric Emergency Department front door (Pediatric ED access only)
Cancer Center 4th Floor
Cancer Center 1st Floor
Sticht Center Main Floor

As a community, we know you entrust us with the care of your loved ones. This is why we must maintain a safe, yet welcoming environment by balancing facility security with accessibility. Achieving that balance can greatly reduce the stress that you may experience during your stay or visit.

Visitor management and registration tools not only improve the safety of our patients, visitors and employees, they allow us to maintain real-time records of all patients and visitors present on Medical Center premises and aid us in managing the number of visitors based on active visitation guidelines.

This additional step in our entry process is a key part of continuous improvement. We are consistently evaluating how we may provide our patients, families and visitors with thoughtful caregiving in a safe, secure environment.

Policies

No use of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes is allowed on Medical Center property or within any Medical Center vehicle. We discourage the use of tobacco products by Medical Center staff/faculty or visitors on properties adjacent to Medical Center properties, such as sidewalks, highway right-of-ways, and privately owned properties.

Weapons are prohibited on all Medical Center property. “Weapons” is defined as any object used to intimidate, inflict bodily harm, or kill such as firearms, knives or blades, brass knuckles, mace, pepper spray, etc. Only law enforcement personnel with statutory authority (authority to enforce federal, state or county law) are permitted to carry weapons on Medical Center property.