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Visitation
On April 6, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 988, the No Patient Left Alone Act, to guarantee Florida families the fundamental right to visit their loved ones who are receiving care in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled (long-term care facilities). No health care facility in Florida may require a vaccine as a condition of visitation and every health care facility must allow their residents and patients to be hugged by their loved ones.
SB 988 states that all hospitals, hospices, and long-term care facilities visitation policies and procedures must allow for in-person visitation in all the following circumstances, unless the resident, client, or patient objects:
Additionally, the bill allows a resident, client, or patient the option to designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver. The provider must allow in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for at least two hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.
Visitation Guidelines According to CMS & MHRC Core Principles
In light of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) guidelines and SB 988, MHRC now can allow responsible and fully open visitation for all our residents and families.
Because our resident population still remains vulnerable to COVID-19, our facilities will follow and enforce The Core Principles of COVID-19 Infection Prevention. We hope and expect all visitors will follow these rules:
We hope all will adhere to these guidelines, but any visitor who does not follow the Core Principles and Facility’s COVID-19 Visitation Rules, will regrettably be asked to leave and/or not be permitted to visit.
Visitors do not have to be vaccinated for COVID-19, but it is strongly encouraged. By law, the Facility can ask any visitor about vaccination status and record the visitor’s response. If a visitor refuses to disclose his/her status, the visitor will be required to wear a mask at all times during visitation.
The safety of our residents, families, and staff remains our top priority and it will take all of us being diligent, looking out for one another to ensure we can overcome this pandemic.