Visitor policy

Temporary Visitor Policy (March 22, 2021)

In order to protect our patients, visitors, physicians, and caregivers from the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are enacting the following modified hospital visitor policy:

Visitor Hours are 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, 7 days per week

Inpatient Units – One visitor per patient is permitted with the following exceptions:

• Facilities with Baker Act Receiving Behavioral Health Units
  • No visitors are allowed except those legally required including a patient’s attorney of record, or a state or federal representative on official duty.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Units
  • For the protection of our patients, visitors, and caregivers, we do not allow visitors to visit COVID-19 patients; nor do we allow visitors to visit those undergoing investigation for COVID-19.
    
    
• If a patient is admitted, one visitor is allowed one hour immediately post admission from the ER or from Surgery.

Exceptions must be approved by the hospital Administrator on Call (AOC) or administration and can be made for end of life situations.

• Emergency Room – Visitors may not accompany a patient into the Main Emergency Room Area.

ER visitors may stay in the ER Lobby while practicing social distancing and wearing a mask. They may stay outside or they can stay in their vehicle.  We ask visitors who are outside or in their cars to provide us with a cell phone number so we may keep them informed of patient progress.

If the patient is under the age of 18, one parent or one guardian will be allowed to accompany the patient into the Main Emergency Room Area.  

If a patient is admitted, the ER visitor will then be directed to the Main Lobby for the normal screening process designated for any Inpatient visit.

• Patients Undergoing Procedures – One visitor is allowed per patient. Visitor must remain in the designated waiting area. If the patient is admitted, the visitor may visit the patient in their assigned room one hour post-surgery and then again during regular visitation hours. During this one hour visit visitor does not need to leave photo ID at desk. When visitor returns during regular visitation hours, visitor will be required leave photo ID at screening desk.
• Anyone under the age of 18 will not be considered for visitation unless they are the parent or guardian of a hospitalized child.

All persons authorized to enter the hospital MUST practice hand sanitization upon entering the hospital and upon entering and exiting a patient’s room and MUST wear a mask at ALL times, including in a patient’s room. All visitors will have their temperature taken, be screened for illness, and asked the following questions:

• Have you had a fever and signs/symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, flu-like symptoms, or shortness of breath)?
• Are you currently being tested for COVID-19?
• Do you have active allergy symptoms – runny nose, cough, watery eyes?
• Do you have loss of taste, loss of smell, or metallic taste?
• Do you have bowel or stomach problems?

If a person screens positive (yes) to any of the above – we will not allow entrance to the facility unless seeking emergency medical assistance.

All visitors must leave a photo ID with the screener. Prior to leaving the facility the visitor shall pick up their photo ID from the screener. Our main desk closes at 8 pm and visitors will need to exit through the Emergency Department.

Patients may consider using phone, Skype, or FaceTime to communicate with family and friends during this time.