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HCA Florida Palms West Hospital
 13001 Southern Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 798 - 3300

Visitor policy

COVID-19 Visitor Policy

Visitor Guidelines, Effective Wednesday, February 9

Adult Patients

  • One (1) adult visitor is allowed to accompany ER patients.
  • Non–COVID/PUI patients admitted to an adult unit may have two (2) adult visitors, at a time, from 6:00am to 8:00pm.
  • There is NO visitation in our COVID or PUI (patients awaiting COVID results) units.
  • Surgical patients may have two (2) adult patient advocates (visitors) accompany them to the hospital on the day of their procedure.
  • Labor and delivery patients may have one (1) adult companion who must stay for the duration of labor.

Pediatric Patients

  • Two (2) adult companions are permitted for pediatric ER patients.
  • Pediatric patients admitted to a unit may have two (2) adult visitors, at a time, for the duration of their stay.
  • ONE (1) adult may remain overnight in Pediatrics, Pediatrics ICU.
  • NICU patients are allowed 1 parent, per day, from 6:00am to 8:00pm.

Masking is required in all areas for patients, visitors, staff and physicians—including in a patient's room.

Circumstances may allow for specific exceptions to any visitation restrictions described on this webpage. Those circumstances include religious visitation as well as a designated support person for a patient with a disability to provide assistance with communication or other necessary components of the patient's treatment. All persons entering under an exception remain subject to appropriate infection control protocols.

  • A patient may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an essential caregiver.
  • The facility will allow in-person visitation by the essential caregiver for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.
  • The facility visitation policies and procedures, will allow in-person visitation in all of 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 policies and procedures may require a visitor to agree in writing, to follow the facility’s policies and procedures. A facility may suspend inperson visitation of a specific visitor, if the visitor violates the facility’s policies and procedures.

If you or your loved one have been met with resistance from a hospital when attempting to visit with loved ones, you may file a complaint with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for further review and action.

References

  • The Joint Commission Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals – RI.01.01.01
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid §482.13 (h) (1-4)
  • F.S. 408.8235 – No Patient Left Alone Act
  • The Florida Mental Health Act; Baker Act
  • CDC Guidelines for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings