Hospital visitation protocol changed
Lee Health officials announced ear;y last week that effective immediately, changes in visitation protocol have been made “to protect the safety of patients and staff from the recent surge of COVID-19 cases” in Southwest Florida.
Visitation hours across Lee Health facilities are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the adult acute care hospital campuses, patients are allowed to designate up to two visitors upon admission, and both may visit at the same time. No visitors under the age of 12 are permitted. Officials said exceptions would be made for compassionate care reasons.
“Visitation is an important part of a patient’s recovery and we understand these restrictions are a hardship. We ask the community for their understanding as we implement necessary measures to keep people safe during this critical time,” said Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, Lee Health president & CEO in a release. “We are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and health care workers.”
Officials said that all visitors are required to practice physical distancing, complete a health screening and thoroughly sanitize their hands with alcohol-based gel before visitation. Visitors are also required to bring their own mask or face covering, and wear it all times while in a Lee Health facility. Ventilated masks are not allowed as officials said they let expelled breath into the air.
The release stated that visitation to any COVID-19 units or patients requiring airborne precautions (in an isolated room because they are potentially infectious) will continue to be restricted to compassionate care. Compassionate care generally refers to end-of-life situations to give family members the opportunity to say goodbye to their loved ones, but can cover other areas depending on individual circumstances. Compassionate care visitation is at the discretion of hospital leadership.
In outpatient facilities, adult patients are allowed one visitor to accompany them to their appointments. For surgeries, a visitor can accompany a patient to registration and pre-op and then reunite with them in the recovery room.
Golisano Children’s Hospital visitation hours will remain the same; two parent/guardians at the bedside 24 hours per day and one additional visitor over the age of 12 during normal visitation hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information about Lee Health, visit LeeHealth.org.