Limited Visitation Notice
Effective Date: December 29, 2025
Due to the rising number of flu cases in our region and across North Carolina, Rutherford Regional Medical Center has implemented temporary visitor limitations until further notice to help prevent the spread of illness within the hospital.
Visitor guidelines include:
- Adult visitors and family members should be limited to next of kin and close contacts.
- Visitors who do not feel well or have symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are asked not to visit the hospital.
- Visitors should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before visiting.
- Visitors are asked to practice proper cough etiquette (cough or sneeze into a tissue or elbow—not hands).
- Wash your hands thoroughly or use hand sanitizer before and after visiting.
These measures help protect our patients, visitors, care teams, and community. We will continue to monitor community respiratory illness levels and make additional adjustments as needed.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the health and safety of our community.
Know Where to Go
Choosing the right care for your medical situation
Primary Care
Primary care is a patient’s main source of ongoing medical care and includes health maintenance, counseling, education, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Primary care is provided by physicians, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners.
Visit your primary care provider for:
- Routine check-ups
- Immunizations
- Annual exams and screenings
- Prenatal care
- Earaches
- Colds or flu
- Fevers
- Non-urgent healthcare needs
Urgent Care or Walk-In Clinic
Urgent care centers treat injuries or illnesses that need prompt attention but are not serious enough to require an emergency room visit.
Go to urgent care for:
- Minor cuts, burns, or wounds
- Minor eye injuries, infections, or irritations
- Severe cold or flu symptoms
- Sprains
- Muscle aches and pains
- Persistent fever
- Allergies
- Severe earaches
- Upset stomachs
- Other non-life-threatening but urgent conditions
Emergency Room
The Emergency Room is for serious or life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention. Our emergency care team is available 24/7 to provide critical care when it matters most.
Dial 9-1-1 or go immediately to the Emergency Room for:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Severe shortness of breath
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs
- Symptoms that may indicate a heart attack or stroke
- Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
- Automobile or industrial accidents
- Poisoning
- Complicated fractures
- Major injuries
- Head injuries
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts