Hospital visitation policies and COVID rules in South Florida

Mary Lou Cruz, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
·7 min read
Hospital visitation policies and COVID rules in South Florida
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As COVID hospitalizations climb in South Florida, local health care systems are tightening rules on allowing visitors, requiring masks, social distancing, and other guidelines from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Here are the current policies at South Florida’s major hospitals. Call to verify requirements before visiting any rehabilitation center or health care facility. Emergency rooms remain open 24/7.

Broward County

Broward Health: Current risk level is Orange. No visitation for COVID-positive patients. One designated visitor age 18 or older during limited hours, 8-11 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. for COVID-negative patients. Virtual visits are encouraged whenever possible. Visitors should arrive at the hospital wearing a face covering from home and wear it for the entirety of the visit. Guests who arrive without a mask will be provided one. Social distancing and hand hygiene are required. browardhealth.org

Cleveland Clinic Florida: Red-level guidelines in effect. Visitation suspended for all COVID-positive patients at its five Florida hospitals. One designated visitor, age 18-up, allowed daily for COVID-negative patients. Masks are required for patients and visitors, even if vaccinated. To help, visitors are asked to maintain physical distancing, and limit the number of items they bring with them. Visitation hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. my.clevelandclinic.org

HCA Healthcare: Non-COVID patients are limited to one adult visitor (age 16 and up) at a time 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Policies are subject to change without notice, and exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. Screening processes, social distancing guidelines and safety policies are in place in all facilities. Masking is required in all areas for patients, visitors, staff and physicians. No visitors are permitted for COVID patients at any location. Visitors are not permitted in any of the waiting areas. Heightened infection prevention policies are in place, including the removal of high-touch items such as magazines, toys and vending machines. Food and drinks are prohibited in clinical units to prevent the spread of illness. hcaeastflorida.com

Holy Cross Health, a member of Trinity Health: No visitors until further notice. Virtual family visitations can be scheduled by nursing units. Special requests under extenuating circumstances are to be directed to Guest Relations. holy-cross.com

Memorial Health System: Red status, very high risk, limited visitations allowed. No visitors allowed into the emergency department or outpatient clinics. Only one visitor per patient into the main hospital and intensive care units 10 a.m.-noon; restricted to one hour in semi-private rooms. Critical-care COVID patients are allowed one compassionate visitation for one hour at a specific time. All others, including end-of-life visits to be determined by medical teams. All visitors will be screened for temperature and symptoms and must wear a properly-fitting mask throughout the visit. Visitors must remain within the patient room and should not visit the cafeteria, gift shop, or other common areas of the hospital, and must present their COVID vaccination card upon entry. mhs.net/patients-visitors

Tenet Health: Only one designated visitor for hospital patients. One visitor for all emergency room patients. Two visitors for all pediatric patients. Areas of the hospitals where COVID patients are being cared for remain restricted. Throughout the hospitals are designated COVID-safe and COVID-care zones, with clear signage and protocols for each. Hospital-specific guidelines may include limited visitation for certain departments. Valet services are not available. goodsamaritanmc.com

Palm Beach County

Baptist Health: Visiting hours vary by location and are subject to change. All visitors must be 18 or older and will be screened. Labor and delivery and maternity patients may have one partner present at all times. Exceptions may be made for pediatrics, oncology and other special circumstances. Anyone displaying COVID symptoms or risk of exposure will not be allowed to visit. Masks are required to be worn at all times at all facilities, and will be provided upon entry. Visitors must follow social distancing guidelines. baptisthealth-coronavirus.com

HCA Healthcare: Non-COVID patients are limited to one adult visitor (age 16 and up) at a time 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Rules are subject to change without notice. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. Screening processes, social distancing guidelines and safety policies are in place in all facilities. Masking is required in all areas for patients, visitors, staff and physicians. No visitors are permitted for COVID patients at any location. Visitors are not permitted in any of the waiting areas. Heightened infection prevention policies are in place, including the removal of high-touch items such as magazines, toys and vending machines. Food and drinks are prohibited in clinical units to prevent the spread of illness. hcaeastflorida.com

Tenet Health: One designated visitor for hospital patients. One visitor for emergency room patients. Two visitors for pediatric patients. These visitation guidelines are limited to intensive care units and do not apply to specific areas of the hospitals where COVID patients are being cared for, which remain restricted. Throughout the hospitals are designated COVID-safe and COVID-care zones, with clear signage and protocols for each. Hospital-specific guidelines may include limited visitation for certain departments. Valet services are not available. goodsamaritanmc.com.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center & Military Hospital, 7305 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. 561-422-8262. No visitors are permitted at this time, including in Community Living Centers (CLC) or in any other VA inpatient or residential units. Patients must undergo COVID screening, wear a mask and practice physical distancing. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires all frontline health care workers to be vaccinated by mid-September. Please call the facility before arriving for a “walk-in” appointment. For some needs, you may be able to get care at home by phone or video. westpalmbeach.va.gov.

Get the most recent changes to hospital policies and COVID rules online at sunsentinel.com/health.