Manatee Memorial Hospital modifies visiting rules again as local COVID-19 cases rise
Manatee Memorial Hospital is once again updating its visitation policies.
Starting Thursday, patients in the inpatient nursing units will only be allowed to receive one visitor, age 18 or older, per day. Visitation hours will remain noon to 6 p.m. daily.
The inpatient unit visitor will be required to enter through the main entrance of the hospital, use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check and answer a screening questionnaire. The visitor will be also required to wear a mask upon entry and keep it on at all times in the hospital. Visitors may bring a personal mask, or the hospital will provide one for them. Visitors will also be required to stay in the specific room assigned to the patient.
Patients who are positive for COVID-19 or are being tested for COVID-19 will not be allowed visitors. Hospital staff encourages loved ones to call or video chat with COVID-19 patients instead.
Blake Medical Center has announced similar restrictions on visitations.
Other Manatee Memorial departments will require similar thorough screening procedures and mask use for both visitors and patients.
Rules for visiting other hospital departments:
▪ Emergency Department - Only one visitor age 18 or older may accompany a patient into the ER. The visitor must come in with the patient at the time of arrival, and will be required to use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check and answer a screening questionnaire. The patient and the visitor will be required to wear a mask upon entry and keep it on at all times. The visitor must stay in the specific room assigned to the patient until discharge.
▪ Surgical/procedural areas – Only one visitor age 18 or older may accompany a patient for admitting and pre-surgical areas. The patient and the visitor will be required to use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check, answer a screening questionnaire and wear a mask. The visitor will need to leave before the surgery starts and may not wait at the hospital. The visitor will be notified when the patient is ready to be picked up and given their discharge information. The visitor again needs a mask on as they enter the building for discharge.
▪ Labor and Delivery: A limit of one support person may stay overnight with a patient. The patient and the visitor will be required to use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check, answer a screening questionnaire and wear masks at all times.
▪ Mom and Baby/Post-partum: A limit of one support person may stay overnight and must use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check, answer a screening questionnaire and wear a mask at all times. Older children are not currently allowed to visit the hospital.
▪ Neonatal: A limit of one support person may accompany a patient and must use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check, answer a screening questionnaire and wear a mask at all times.
▪ Special needs patients, compassionate care/end-of-life situations. All visitors must use antibacterial foam, receive a temperature check, answer a screening questionnaire and wear a mask at all times.
Visit manateememorial.com for more info.