North Carolina enacts ‘No Patient Left Alone Act’ legislation into law

During the coronavirus pandemic, especially the first months of restrictions, loved ones were not allowed to visit patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The result was that people died without a loved one present.

On Friday, Oct. 15, Gov. Roy Cooper signed Senate Bill, the ‘No Patient Left Alone Act,’ into law. The law becomes effective on Nov. 1, requiring visitations for patients and residents in these settings:

• Hospitals

• Nursing homes and combination homes

• Hospice care facilities

• Adult care homes and special care units

• Residential treatment facilities

Locations must follow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or any federal law about visitation. Violations will result in a $500 penalty per instance, per day, after a 24-hour warning period. Families of patients must also be provided with the facility’s visitation rules and contact information. Compassionate care visits are also required under the new law.

View the law HERE.