SB 988 Hospital Visitation
No Patient Left Alone Act
UF Health Flagler Hospital visitor's policy supports the newly approved SB-988 s. 408.823 "No Patient Left Alone Act". This bill requires providers to allow patients admitted to the facility to receive visitors in accordance with Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) rules.
Essential caregiver/support person
Citing from “No Patient Left Alone Act” FL 408.823; UF Health Flagler Hospital supports the patient's option to designate a friend, family member, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver. UF Health Flagler Hospital allows in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized.
Our visitation policy is easily assessable here
SB988 s. 408.823 is an addendum of our visitor policy to protect the health of our staff, patients, visitors and community and to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
UF Health Flagler Hospital visitation policy allows for in-person visitation in all the following circumstances, unless the patient objects:
- End-of-life situations.
- A 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.
- The patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
- A patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
- A patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
- A patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
- For hospitals, childbirth, including labor and delivery.
- Pediatric patients.
The hospital may limit or revoke visitation by policy if:
- The presence of visitor is medically or therapeutically contraindicated.
- The presence of visitor interferes with the care or rights of other patients.
- Visitor is engaging in disruptive or violent behavior or non-compliant with safety protocol & policy.
Safety Protocol
- No health care facility in Florida may require a vaccine as a condition to visitation, however all visitors will be expected to follow any safety precautions which might be recommended by the facility (i.e. Covid+ patient would require personal protection equipment provided by staff)
- Visiting Hours -8:00am- 8:00pm daily (7 days a week) all locations excluding BHU.
- To ensure a quiet, comfortable, and safe environment, it is recommended only two visitors at a time by the bedside. Rotation is allowed, and there are no limits on how many visitors per day.
- Visitors under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.
- All visitors must enter through the main entrance and check in with Security for badge access. (I.D.s are required for all adults). (ER patients /visitors may enter thru the ER entrance)
- Visitors of patients who are not on transmission-based precautions are encourage to wear a mask and perform hand hygiene prior to entering the patient's room and repeat upon leaving the room.
- Visitors of patients who are in enhanced droplet and contact precautions must wear a mask, gown and gloves. Staff will assist with proper procedures and hand hygiene.
- To provide the optimum therapeutic environment, consensual physical contact is encouraged with patients.
