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:
- End-of-life situations.
- A resident, client, or patient who was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
- A resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
- A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
- A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
- A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
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:
- Outdoor visits are preferred.
- During indoor visitation, we will:
- Not permit entrance to anyone who is COVID-19 positive, has symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meets the criteria for quarantine. Every visitor will be screened before entry: e.g., temperature checks, questions about and observations of signs or symptoms, and denial of entry of those with signs and symptoms or those who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days (regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status).
- Encourage frequent hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Require visitors to wear a face covering or mask (for the mouth and nose) and follow 6 feet distancing.
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.
- Visitation Specifics
- Residents can have visitors at any time they choose, so long as it does not interfere with another resident’s rights or pose a need for reasonable clinical or safety restriction reasons.
- Visitors must wear face coverings when around other persons in the facility and follow the six feet physical distancing rule.
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.
