Patients & Visitors
Current Patient and Visitor Guidelines
General Rules
- Clean hands upon entering and exiting the facility.
- We strongly encourage you mask to protect yourself, patients and others when visiting North Knoxville Medical Center if you:
- Are experiencing cold, flu, RSV or COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, body aches or sore throat.
- Within the last 10 days, have been exposed to anyone confirmed to have COVID-19, flu or RSV.
- Are immunocompromised.
- Have not had the 2023/2024 influenza or COVID vaccinations.
- The facility reserves the right to restrict visitation at any time if the individual's presence infringes on others rights, safety or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
- Patients and visitors who prefer to wear a mask may do so. Healthcare workers, including employees, physicians and volunteers, may not be required to wear a mask in their areas, but patients may ask members of their care team to wear masks if the patient would like them to do so.
Limited Visitation
Infection Prevention monitors flu activity daily. Our community is seeing an increase in respiratory illnesses: flu, COVID-19 and RSV activity. Those under the age of 14 and anyone exhibiting signs of illness (fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, stomach upset) except for those seeking medical care should not visit patients at this time.
Emergency Room:
- One visitor per patient will be allowed in the emergency department 24/7 (ages 18 and older).
- Exceptions can be made for those who are in end of life care and/or special circumstances.
Inpatient Units:
Please try to limit the number of visitors per patient to 2, except where otherwise noted. We ask that you remain in the room with the patient and limit travel within the hospital.
Permissible Exceptions:
- Visiting a loved one for end of life care - unlimited throughout the day.
- A visitor vital to the clinical care of the patient can stay overnight.
Birthing Center
Please limit visitors to 4 per patient, plus a doula. Only one visitor during triage, cesarean section or recovery from surgical procedure. No visitors under the age of 14 with the exception of siblings.
Surgery and Outpatient Services:
- All inpatient and outpatient surgery and cardiac catheterization procedures, one visitor is permitted to accompany the patient in the pre-op and post-op areas.
- Patients presenting for pre-admission testing, surgery or outpatient services are asked to wear a mask while in these areas.
Thank you for reviewing visitation information before your visit to one of our hospitals or physician offices. Please note visitation is subject to change.
At North Knoxville Medical Center, we understand that coming to the hospital as a patient or as a loved one's support person can be a difficult, often overwhelming experience. Whether you're preparing for a hospital stay or stopping by to see friends and family, knowing where to go and what to bring will help make your visit less stressful. To make your experience easier, we want to provide you with helpful information you may need to plan your visit, such as what to expect, parking instructions, transportation and more.