Visitor information

The hospitals of Ascension Florida support patient-centered care and recognize that a healing environment includes the emotional, spiritual, and physical support of their loved ones. We provide a place of healing that’s private, safe and secure for visitors, employees, and patients.

Family, friends and representatives of patients are encouraged to visit and provide support during the patient’s hospital stay. We welcome loved ones to come see you while you are in the hospital.

Visitors are encouraged to visit between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. We recommend that only two people visit at one time. In most cases and with patient approval, one responsible adult (18 years or older) is allowed to stay overnight.

We also will permit two visitors to stay with a patient in our ERs, ORs and procedural areas.

If a patient is in isolation, visitors must follow the instructions provided in Infection Control policies and as instructed by the isolation signage.

The hospital may restrict visitation of a person or limit the duration of visits or the number of visitors under certain circumstances.

Visitation policies are subject to change. Additional rules for visitation are listed below. Please call 850-769-1511 for the latest information.

Calling to check on your family member

We recommend designating one family member to be responsible for getting updates on your loved one. If you are calling to check on a patient’s condition or treatment, please have the patient’s PIN number available. The PIN number is provided at the patient’s discretion. We are not able to release any information to those calling who do not have the PIN. This is to protect the patient’s privacy. To speak to the patient’s nurse, please call 850-769-1511 and give the operator the patient’s room number. The operator will connect you to the appropriate floor for an update.

Additional visitation policy details

Family, friends and representatives of the patients are encouraged to visit and provide support during the patient’s hospital stay. Patients and families will be informed of visiting hours and rules upon admission to the unit. Visitors are welcome unless their presence interferes with others’ rights, safety, or is medically contraindicated. In general, patients have the right to identify an essential caregiver to be available during the course of their stay. Certain specialty areas have additional rules for visitation that are listed below.

The patient may verbally designate, withdraw, or deny anyone as an approved visitor at any time. The hospital will not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. The Hospital will ensure that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges consistent with the patient’s preferences and will respect patients’ rights to restrict or refuse visitors.

Nursing and Security are responsible for administering this policy. Questions regarding visitation can be directed to the house supervisor.

Visitation guidelines

• In general, visitors are encouraged to visit between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. For the comfort of patients and visitors, it is recommended that only two persons visit at one time.
• A person designated as the essential caregiver may visit for two hours in-person in addition to any other allowed visitation. The Hospital may find it necessary to restrict visitation of a specific person or limit the duration of visits and/or the number of visitors under certain circumstances.
• In-person visitation will be allowed 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.
  • Childbirth, including labor and delivery.
  • Pediatric patients
• The Hospital may find it necessary to restrict visitation of a specific person or limit the duration of visits and/or the number of visitors under certain circumstances.
• Due to the size of the patient rooms, one responsible adult (18 years or older) will be allowed to stay overnight. Any guest visiting between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. will be required to register with security
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult, other than the patient, at all times. It is asked that the adult supervisor ensure that the visiting children do not disturb other patients. Any problems occurring with rowdiness of visiting children may result in asking the supervising adult to remove the children.
• Visitors of patients in isolation must follow the instructions provided in infection control policies and as instructed by the isolation signage. Visitors under the age of 12 may be restricted from visiting patients in isolation. For the safety of the patient and the employees, visitors who fail to comply with isolation protocols may have visitation privileges suspended.
• Visitors exhibiting any signs or symptoms of infection and/or illness are encouraged to avoid visiting hospitalized patients. Symptoms of illness could include, but are not limited to: cough, fever, runny nose, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or sore throat.
• Security should be contacted immediately if:
  • The visitor is threatening, disruptive, abusive or intoxicated.
  • The visitor is believed to be bringing in contraband.
  • The visitor or visitation is interfering with the treatment or care of the patient.

Specialty unit guidelines

The following patient care areas are locked for the security and privacy of our patients. Access is granted by communication with the healthcare team.

• Critical Care Units
  
  • Visitors at the bedside are limited per the patient's status.
  • 2 visitors (rotating) at a time and one overnight visitor after 9 p.m.
  • No visitors under the age 12 unless specific end-of-life situations.
• Intensive Care Unit
• Emergency Department
  • Visitation may be limited due to patient care needs and department census.
• Procedural areas (pre-op, recovery, diagnostics, etc.)
  • Visitation for adult patients may vary based on patient condition and needs.
• Parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) of pediatric patients will be identified and provided an armband prior to the procedure. Parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) will be allowed to visit the pediatric patient as soon as the procedure ends and the patient is stable.
• Labor and Delivery
  • Visitor passes will be provided to and given out by the patient to the four additional visitors the patient wishes to have while the patient is in Labor and Delivery.
  • Upon admission, the patient designated support person will be provided with an armband.
  • Additional visitors are granted as per the patient’s request, up to a recommended maximum of five total visitors at one time.
  • In triage and during the assessment period, visitation may be limited to one person.
  • Visitors under the age of 12 are restricted unless the visitor is the child or step-child of the patient.
• Postpartum/mother-baby
  • Sibling visitation regardless of age will be permitted at the discretion of the patient.
  • Unlimited visitation will be at the discretion of the patient.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery
  • Two adults (mother and support person) will receive an armband matching the baby’s armband. The mother may designate additional persons that may visit at the discretion of the facilities.
  • Sibling visitation may be limited at the discretion of the healthcare team.
  • No visitors under the age of 2 are permitted except for discharged siblings of multiples.