Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate on Friday passed the No Patient Left Alone Act, which allows hospitalized patients to designate one visitor who would be permitted access to their room in accordance with a hospital's visitation rules and limitations.

The measure is in response to heartbreaking stories of loved ones being left to die alone in a hospital room as their spouses and family members are denied entry to the building. The bill stipulates, "One immediate family member or designated health care agent shall have the opportunity to visit an adult patient" in a hospital, and also applies to minors and persons with developmental disabilities. 

Senator Warren Daniel (R-Avery, Burke, Caldwell), who sponsored the bill, said, "I've heard devastating stories of patients young and old who, in the final hours of their lives, have not been able to say goodbye to the people they love, or to feel the loving comfort of their lifelong partner. Every patient deserves the right to spend their last days in this world with a family member by their side. We have to prevent this tragedy from happening again in our North Carolina hospitals."

Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne), who voted in favor of the bill, said, “This has been a very real problem for many NC families. The legislative process is multi-step for many good reasons, and this was just a first step. The North Carolina Healthcare Association has been very helpful during these discussions. Issues of this nature are very complex. We will continue to work with the NCHA to share constituent feedback, and to help address this very real issue in a safe manner.”

The bill passed the Senate by a 40-4 margin.