Visitation and Companion Policies

LRH Medical Center Visitation Policy

Updated: 7/31/2023 Owner: April Novotny

LRHMC values patient and family-centered care and provides open visitation so patients can have around-the-clock support from a family member or Care Partner.
Our Safety & Security team partners with our Clinical and Administrative teams to maintain an environment of healing. LRHMC promotes a tranquil and healing setting for its patients and encourages visitation, including appropriate physical contact between a patient and visitor. We reserve the right to intervene when necessary if individuals are identified as a threat or a risk to patients, employees, volunteers, physicians, or other visitors. Likewise, because we value the safety of all patients, employees, and guests, individuals who display disruptive behavior will not be permitted on our campus.
LRHMC is happy to welcome visiting children on campus, but we ask that those who are under the age of 16 years be accompanied by an adult.
Depending on the needs of our patients and patient care units, visiting guidelines may be determined on a case-by-case basis. For example, to respect the collective needs of the patients in a given area, we may find it necessary to modify these guidelines at times which may result in limited visitation, modified length of stay, gift restrictions, visitor age limitations, etc. Notwithstanding the foregoing, LRHMC will always allow for in-person visitation for all of the circumstances set forth in Fla. Stat. 408.823(2)(c); however, in-person visitation may be suspended or limited in accordance with Fla. Stat. 408.823(2)(d), when appropriate. Approval by Resolution Services should be obtained prior to suspending or limiting a Care Partner’s in-person visitation rights and an Incident Report should be completed. Team members or providers may contact Resolution Services at ext. 1025 or by contacting the Administrative Manager during weekend/evening hours to obtain such approvals.
Consistent with Florida statutes and 59AER23-2 (Standards for the Appropriate Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control), we may require a visitor to wear a facial covering only when the visitor is:

(a) Exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission,
(b) In sterile areas of the health care setting or an area where sterile procedures are being performed,
(c) In an in-patient or clinical room with a patient who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission, or
(d) Visiting a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety. Visitors may opt out of wearing a facial covering if an alternative method of infection control or infectious disease prevention is available
In order to promote healing and protect our patients from additional illnesses, visitors who do not feel well, have a fever or rash, or have been exposed to an infectious or contagious illness are respectfully requested to refrain from visiting patients. Because LRHMC values our patient’s safety, we may deny visitation of a patient if the visitation could negatively affect the patient’s continued care.
In order to maintain a healing environment, we will observe Quiet Hours in the clinical areas after 8:00 p.m. We ask that team members, visitors, and Care Partners respect this time and make every effort to keep noise levels to a minimum to allow our patients the opportunity for a quiet night of rest.
Education regarding visitation requirements will be provided on our website, in hospital signage, and available by contacting hospital entrance reception and security staff. This visitation policy will be easily accessible from the LRH website home page.

To view the full Medical Center Visitation Policy, click here.

LRH Physician Group Companion Policy

Updated: 7/31/2023 Owner: Maureen Leckie

LRHPG values patient and family-centered care and allows visitors to accompany patients at our outpatient clinics so patients can have support during their office visits from a family member or Care Partner.
Our Safety & Security team partners with our Clinical and Administrative teams to maintain an environment of healing. LRHPG promotes a welcoming environment for its patients and encourages visitors for patient appointments. We reserve the right to intervene when necessary if individuals are identified as a threat or a risk to patients, employees, volunteers, physicians or other visitors. Likewise, because we value the safety of all patients, employees and guests, individuals who display disruptive behavior will not be permitted on our campus.
Depending on the needs of our patients and specific appointment types or specialty, visiting guidelines may be determined on a case-by-case basis. For example, to respect the collective needs of the patients in a given area, we may find it necessary to modify these guidelines at times which may result in limited visitation, age limitations, etc.
In order to promote a healthy environment and protect our patients from additional illnesses, visitors who do not feel well, have a fever or rash, or who have been exposed to an infectious and contagious illness are respectfully requested to refrain from accompanying patients to their appointment. Because LRHPG values our patient’s safety, we may deny visitors of a patient if the visitor could negatively affect the patient’s care.
Consistent with Florida statutes and 59AER23-2 (Standards for the Appropriate Use of Facial Coverings for Infection Control), we may require a companion/visitor to wear a facial covering only when the companion/visitor is:
a. Exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission,
b. In sterile areas of the health care ambulatory setting or an area where sterile procedures are being performed,
c. In an ambulatory setting with a patient who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission, or
d. Accompanying a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety.
Visitors may opt out of wearing a facial covering if an alternative method of infection control or infectious disease prevention is available.
Education regarding visitation requirements will be provided on our website.
LRHPG has the right to change these guidelines or this policy without prior notice to address emergent health and/or safety needs in the community or at LRHPG.

To view the full LRHPG Companion Policy, click here.

Isolation Policy

Updated: 7/31/2023 Owner: Michelle Hunt

Policy changes regarding recent Florida legislative changes (Senate Bill 252)

Health care organizations are required to update their policies to conform to the new requirements regarding COVID-19 and masking.

LRH’s policy on isolation precautions is intended to help the hospital reduce the risk of infection, define the needed precautions, and deliver safe, high-quality care. The following information is a summary of changes to Lakeland Regional Health’s Policy IC.0039 Isolation Precautions.

ISOLATION PRECAUTIONS – MASKING

NOTE: During respiratory pandemics, standard precautions may include wearing masks with all patients. It also may include wearing masks in other areas of the hospital dependent on community levels and risk of inadvertent transmission.

Patients

Our patients are required to wear masks in the following situations:

They are in a common area of our facility AND
They are exhibiting signs or symptoms of an infectious disease and are under Droplet, Airborne or Special Precautions OR
They they have been diagnosed with an infectious disease and are under such Droplet, Airborne or Special Precautions.

Visitors

Visitors are required to wear a mask in the following situations:

They have respiratory symptoms or have an infectious disease and are under , Droplet, Airborne or Special Precautions.
They are in a sterile area of a facility or present where sterile procedures are being done.
If they are coming to see a patient who has signs and symptoms of or have been diagnosed with an infectious disease or condition and are under Droplet, Airborne or Special Precautions.
If they are coming to see a patient who has a condition that affects their underlying immune system AND the treating practitioner has determined that masks are necessary for patient safety.

Opt-out options for patients and visitors

A patient who does not have respiratory symptoms or an infectious disease is allowed to opt out of mask wearing unless community levels of a respiratory infection are high enough that a substantial risk of transmitting infection to others is present.
A visitor without respiratory symptoms may choose to “opt out” of wearing a mask if there is an alternative method of infection control or infectious disease prevention. Note that an effective alternative method may not be available.

To view the full Isolation Policy, click here.

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