Visitation Policy

PURPOSE: Patients receiving care in the inpatient unit (IPU) have the right to receive visitors and to designate an essential caregiver.

POLICY: Patients and their representatives have the right to receive and restrict visitors, and to have unlimited contact with visitors when desired while in the Inpatient Unit (IPU). When special circumstances require limited visitation, the organization will consider these rights and allow the essential caregiver and others to visit as specified in these visitation rights and responsibilities.

PROCEDURE:

Visitation Rights

1. Patients in the IPU and their representatives have the right to receive and restrict visitors, and to have unlimited contact with visitors, including infants and small children, when desired. Family and friends may visit patients in the inpatient unit (IPU) twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
    
2. While special circumstances may require limiting the number of visitors and visiting hours, visitation rights will be honored to the best of the organization’s ability to ensure patients will not be left alone when they need the comfort of family and friends.
   
   
3. Patients’ rights are respected and procedures are followed while patients, representatives or visitors remain in the inpatient unit (IPU). Visitations are limited only by the patient’s/representative’s personal preferences/request, by a physician’s order or by the unit’s management to protect the safety of patients, staff and others.
   
   
4. Patients have the right to refuse to talk to persons not associated with the organization or not directly involved in the patient’s care including visitors, vendors, accreditation surveyors and representatives of community organizations. Staff may assist patients in restricting visitations, as requested or required, to allow the patient to be comfortable.
   
   
5. Patients have the right to designate an essential caregiver who is a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual. This essential caregiver will be allowed to visit the patient in person, and in any circumstance, for at least two (2) hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized. The essential caregiver status is for visitation purposes and does not require the caregiver to provide necessary care to the patient.
   
   
6. Patients are allowed to have consensual physical contact with a visitor as long as the patient consents.
   
   
7. In-person visitation in the following circumstances will only be limited by the patient’s objection:

   a. Patient is in an end-of-life situation. 
   b. The patient was living with family prior to admission and is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support.
   c. The patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
   d. The patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family
   member who recently died.
   e. The patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously
   provided by a family member or caregiver.
   f. The patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
   g. The patient is a child in pediatric care.

8. Appropriate space will be provided to allow patients to receive visitors in comfort and privacy. This includes overnight accommodations.

9. The IPU supervisors will review any issues related to the visitation or complaints to ensure the patient’s rights are respected and the procedures are followed by patients, visitors, and staff.

Visitation Responsibilities

1. Visitors must follow inpatient visitation procedures and rules for patients to ensure patients’ rights are respected and safety measures are followed.
   
   
2. Visitors are expected to comply with infection control measures and safety practices while visiting, but will not be required to comply with safety-related policies and procedures that are more stringent than those established for staff and will not be required to submit proof of any vaccination or immunization.
   
   
3. Visitors must follow organizational policies and procedures, safety protocols and guidelines including Treasure Coast Hospice’s Smoking Policy, as well as any rules and visitation hours communicated upon admission or at other times under certain circumstances.
   
   
4. Visitors are expected to abide by the following rules during visitation at the IPU:
   a) Request staff permission prior to entering a patient’s room.
   b) Supervise children closely.
   c) Do not restrict staff’s access to the patient or limit the provision of care.
   d) Exhibit appropriate behavior while visiting. Visitors exhibiting behavior that is considered inappropriate by Treasure Coast Hospice staff may be asked to leave and may be prohibited from continued visits.
   e) Limit overnight accommodations to the patient’s room only. Areas outside the patient’s room are shared by all visitors and are not meant to be used as accommodations for overnight stays. 
   f) Do not crowd the hallways or cause impending traffic that blocks areas necessary for walking and transporting.
   g) Abide by the Pet Visitation Guidelines.

Additional Rules for COVID-19 Patients in the IPU

1. Visitations may be limited for the safety of patient/staff by the IPU management. Family members may visit patients in the IPU COVID-19 designated room during set visiting hours, seven (7) days a week. The number of visitors may be limited by IPU management for the safety of patients, staff and/or visitors. Specific rules for visitors and visiting hours for the unit will be communicated upon admission.
   
   
2. Visitors are expected to comply with infection control measures and safety practices while visiting. Personal protective equipment, and other infection control protocols for visitors will be communicated. Required PPE is provided by Treasure Coast Hospice.
   
   
3. The patient will have appropriate space to receive visitors in comfort and privacy based on the IPU COVID-19 unit restrictions set by IPU management to ensure safety of patients/visitors/staff.
   
   
4. Staff will assist patients and HCS (Health Care Surrogate) or representative in restricting visitations, as requested or required, to allow the patient to be comfortable.
   
   
5. Training on personal protective equipment must be completed prior to entering the COVID-19 room. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn correctly at all times. Staff will train all visitors on how to don and doff Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will answer any questions they may have. 
   
   
6. Visitors are restricted to the patient’s room only and not able to utilize common areas such as the dining areas, common family areas and chapel.

Visitation Complaints

For complaints regarding visiting with loved ones, notify any Treasure Coast Hospice staff member of your complaint and ask them to record it for submission, or you may submit the complaint directly in writing or by calling Treasure Coast Hospice’s main line at (772) 403-4500 and ask to file a complaint.

You may also contact the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for further review and action online at www.ahca.myflorida.com/visitation.