Brooksville, Florida – (June 29, 2020) – Oak Hill Hospital is implementing a new visitor policy on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, as a result of the increase in the community spread of COVID-19 in Hernando County. No visitors will be permitted for admitted inpatients to help ensure the safety of our patients and caregivers (limited exceptions noted below). The policy is as follows:
Temporary Visitor Policy (June 30, 2020)
In order to protect our patients, visitors, physicians, and caregivers from the spread of the coronavirus (COVID)
·Inpatient Units – No visitors are permitted.
Exceptions must be approved by the hospital Administrator on Call (AOC) or administration and can be made for:
o end-of-life situations (generally for patients in hospice care)
o labor and delivery
§ one visitor is allowed
o post-partum unit, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and pediatrics unit
§ one visitor is allowed and may stay overnight
o behavioral health units
§ a patient’s attorney of record, a state of federal representative on official duty, and end-of-life situation visitors are allowed
·Emergency Room – One visitor is allowed per patient in the ER.
Once a patient is admitted to the hospital, the visitor must leave as visitors are not allowed in inpatient areas.
·Outpatient Procedures – One visitor is allowed per patient who is having an outpatient surgery or other outpatient procedure requiring sedation.
Visitor must remain in the designated waiting area. If the patient is admitted as an inpatient, the visitor must leave as visitors are not allowed in inpatient areas.
·Anyone under the age of 18 will not be considered for visitation unless they are the parent of a hospitalized child.
All persons authorized to enter the hospital must wear a mask at all times, including in a patient’s room, and practice hand sanitization upon entering the hospital and upon entering and exiting a patient’s room. They will have their temperature taken, be screened for illness, and asked the following questions:
·Have you had a fever and signs/symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, flu-like symptoms, or shortness of breath)?
·Have you traveled outside the country within the last 14 days (including a cruise)?
·Have you traveled by plane or train in the past 14 days?
·Have you been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 without wearing the proper protective equipment?
·Are you currently being tested for COVID-19?
If you answer positive (yes) to any of the above – we will not allow entrance to the facility unless seeking emergency medical assistance.
Patients may consider using phone, Skype, or FaceTime to communicate with family and friends during this time.
Oak Hill Hospital’s parent company, HCA Healthcare West Florida Division, has enacted this updated temporary policy in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties in response to the growth in the number of COVID-19 positive cases.
