ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – (June 12, 2020) – Effective immediately, inpatient visitation has resumed at Northside Hospital. “We are pleased to allow our patients to see their loved ones in a safe environment,” said Valerie Powell-Stafford, CEO Northside Hospital. One visitor, age 18 or older, may visit admitted patients on the inpatient floors between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For the safety of our patients and staff, all visitors must successfully pass a screening prior to entering the hospital and wear a mask and practice social distancing while in the hospital. The relaxed visitation restrictions do not apply to patients who are COVID-19 positive or patients being tested for COVID-19. For these patients, we suggest interacting through phone calls, Skype or FaceTime.
The following Temporary COVID-19 Modified Visitor Policy is now in effect.
Temporary Visitor Policy
In order to protect our patients, visitors, physicians and caregivers from the spread of the coronavirus, we are enacting a modified hospital visitor policy.
Visitor Hours are 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., 7 days per week.
Inpatient Units – One visitor per patient is permitted with the following exceptions:
· Coronavirus (COVID-19) Units
o For the protection of our patients, visitors and caregivers, we do not allow visitors to visit COVID-19 patient; nor do we allow visitors to visit those undergoing investigation for COVID-19.
o Exceptions must be approved by the hospital Administrator on Call (AOC) or administration and can be made for end of life situations.
Emergency Room – One visitor is allowed per patient in the ER.
Outpatient Procedures Requiring Sedation – One visitor is allowed per patient. Visitor must remain in the designated waiting area. If the patient is admitted as an inpatient, the visitor can visit with the patient after the patient is admitted to his/her room.
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 screen positive (yes) to any of the above – you will not be provided access to the facility unless seeking emergency medical assistance.
We encourage patients to consider using phone, Skype, or FaceTime to communicate with family and friends during this time.
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About Northside Hospital
Serving the community since 1976, Northside Hospital is a 288-bed hospital, offering a full range of services including comprehensive and interventional stroke care, preventative and corrective cardiac care, full-service orthopedic and spine treatment, a 24-hour emergency department, and general surgery. As one of the first hospitals in the area to achieve Atrial Fibrillation Certification (SCPC), our technologically advanced hospital allows our highly skilled physicians, nursing and caregivers to serve our growing community. Northside Hospital was the first nationally recognized Comprehensive Stroke Center in Pinellas County and has been nationally-recognized as a Top Performer in Key Quality Measures for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Surgical Care by The Joint Commission. We have been nationally recognized for quality and safety by earning an “A” rating from the Leapfrog Group and our employees voted us a Tampa Bay Times Top Workplace in 2020. With campus-based specialized services, such as the Tampa Bay Heart Institute and the Neuroscience Institute for Interventional Neuroradiology and neurologic care, Northside Hospital continues to enhance and expand its services to better serve the St. Petersburg community.