Visiting loved ones at ECU Health.

Thank you for trusting ECU Health to care for you and your loved ones. The safety of our patients, visitors and team members is our top priority. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services guidance, ECU Health will continue to operate under the existing infectious viruses guidelines, which may include mandatory masking and mandatory screening for team members and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

We are taking steps to ensure the safety of all patients, team members and visitors. ECU Health remains vigilant with masking, entry requirements and visitor restrictions by department. This is an evolving situation and ECU Health continues to closely monitor local data, including infectious disease cases in our region and in our hospitals, and will adjust visitation restrictions accordingly.

Community members with questions about ECU Health’s visitation guidelines are encouraged to call our Tell Us Now team at 252-847-8355. If a team member is not immediately available, please leave a message and your call will be returned within 24 hours.

Visitor Check in

ECU Health is using technology to help improve the visitor experience while continuing to reduce the risks associated with infectious viruses. This process – in place at all ECU Health hospitals – can be completed in person at kiosks located at main entry points.

Infection Prevention Practices

Visitor Masking Guidelines

Effective Monday, April 3, 2023, ECU Health will make masking optional for healthy patients, visitors and team members at all ECU Health facilities, including ECU Health Physicians clinics.

Patients may request their specific care team to wear a mask while providing direct care.

Additionally, ECU Health will continue to mask for certain patients, particularly for those who have an infectious virus or who are immuno-compromised. To continue to mitigate the spread of infectious viruses, ECU Health will require masking for those who feel sick or have symptoms of an infectious virus: fever, cough and runny nose.

Visitors who choose to wear a mask or are required to wear a mask should use surgical masks or N95/KN95 masks as long as they are clean, intact, without a valve and have no visible gaps. Masks will remain available upon entry at ECU Health facilities for those who choose to wear a mask or must wear a mask.

To review the restrictions at all ECU Health hospitals and clinics, click here.

In following the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, visitors who need assistance due to a disability may have an additional individual with them when visiting a loved one in an ECU Health facility to help navigate the current visitor guidelines.

ECU Health strongly encourages visitors to consider virtual visitation options such as FaceTime and phone calls. Assistance with virtual visits, including iPads for patients without the necessary technology, is available on request. Virtual visitation is the safest way to stay connected with a loved one.

Patients should limit their belongings to a few key items. Please refer to the below tips to ensure you or your loved one has what they need in the event of a hospital stay:

• Bring your phone, tablet or other electronic device to connect with family members
• Limit clothing to clean undergarments and one outfit for discharge
• Wear or pack non-slip shoes

For information on visiting ECU Health Wellness Centers, visit the COVID-19 section of our Wellness Centers page.