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HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital
 6500 38th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 384 - 1414

Visitor policy

COVID-19 Visitor Policy

Effective Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022

As we continue to see a downward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases in our community, we are lifting some of our previous visitor restrictions. Please see below for an updated policy, effective Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

  • Visitor hours are 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
  • Two visitors are allowed per patient at a time (exceptions can be made at the discretion of Administration).
  • Visitors must be age 18 or older, unless the visitor is the parent of a hospitalized child (exceptions can be made at the discretion of Administration).
  • Visitors are not allowed for COVID-19 positive patients or patients suspected of having COVID-19 (exceptions can be made at the discretion of Administration, such as end of life situations).
  • Visitors MUST wear a mask at all times besides eating or drinking.
  • Visitors MUST attest to not having COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual prior to entering our hospital.

Additional modifications apply to certain patient care areas as outlined below:

  • Patients Undergoing Procedures (Outpatient Services) – Visitors must remain in designated waiting area. If patient is admitted, visitors can visit with patient after patient is admitted to their room.
  • Emergency Room (ER) – Visitors must remain at the bedside; no visitors permitted in the lobby area. For pediatric ER patients, visitors must be a designated parent/guardian. During times of high volume, guests may be asked to wait outside until patients are placed in a room.
  • Women’s Services (Labor & Delivery) – One banded support person is permitted 24/7 overnight.

Any exceptions to these guidelines must be approved by the Hospital Administrator on Call (AOC) and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on how to find a COVID-19 vaccine location, visit www.vaccines.gov.

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