PREFERRED CARE HOSPICE, LLC
VISITATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES
1.0 Purpose
This policy establishes the visitation requirements and procedures of Preferred Care Hospice, LLC (the “Agency”) in compliance with Section 408.823, Florida Statutes (the “No Patient Left Alone Act”).
2.0 Scope
This policy applies to all visitors of patients receiving services from the Agency, whether services are delivered in the patient’s private residence, an assisted living facility, a skilled nursing facility, a hospital, or a contracted Medicare-certified inpatient facility providing general inpatient or respite care under arrangement with the Agency.
3.0 Policy Statement
It is the policy of the Agency to permit and support in-person visitation for every patient consistent with patient choice and reasonable infection control. Visitation shall be permitted under the specific circumstances enumerated in Section 408.823(2)(c), F.S., unless the patient objects.
4.0 Designation of Person Responsible for Staff Adherence
The Administrator is the individual responsible for ensuring that Agency staff adhere to this Visitation Policy. In the absence of the Administrator, the Nursing Supervisor shall serve as the responsible person.
5.0 Infection Control and Education Policies for Visitors
The Agency maintains an infection prevention and control program consistent with applicable federal and state standards. Visitors will be informed of any infection-prevention measures applicable at the time of visit, including hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Visitors who are experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness should not visit, except where the visit qualifies under one of the in-person visitation circumstances listed in Section 9.0, in which case the visit will be facilitated with appropriate infection control precautions.
During declared outbreaks of a communicable disease, the Agency may implement additional infection control measures consistent with public-health guidance. Such measures shall not be more stringent than those imposed on Agency staff and shall not preclude in-person visitation under the circumstances enumerated in Section 9.0.
6.0 Screening, Personal Protective Equipment, and Other Infection Control Protocols for Visitors
Visitors may be subject to a brief health screening prior to a visit. Visitors may also be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when indicated by the patient’s clinical condition, isolation status, or current public-health guidance. Required PPE will be supplied by the Agency at no cost to the visitor, and Agency staff will provide instruction on its proper use.
Consistent with Section 408.823(2)(a), F.S., safety-related policies and procedures imposed on visitors shall not be more stringent than those imposed on Agency staff.
7.0 No Required Proof of Vaccination or Immunization
Consistent with Section 408.823(2)(a), F.S., the Agency shall not compel any visitor to provide proof of vaccination or immunization status as a condition of visitation.
8.0 Length of Visits and Number of Visitors
8.1 Length of Visits
In the patient’s private residence, the patient (or the patient’s legal representative) determines the length of any visit. Where the patient receives general inpatient or respite care at a contracted Medicare-certified inpatient facility, the inpatient facility’s visitation hours and policies will apply, and the Agency will coordinate with the inpatient facility consistent with Section 14.0 of this policy. An Essential Caregiver designated under Section 11.0 shall be permitted in-person visitation for at least two (2) hours daily, in addition to any other visitation authorized.
8.2 Number of Visitors
The patient (or the patient’s legal representative) determines the number of visitors permitted at any given time, subject only to the physical space available and the safety of the patient and any other patients in shared settings. There is no maximum number of visitors a patient may have, and visitors need not be related to the patient.
9.0 Required In-Person Visitation Circumstances
Pursuant to Section 408.823(2)(c), F.S., and unless the patient objects, the Agency shall allow in-person visitation in all of the following circumstances:
End-of-life situations.
A patient who was living with family before being admitted to the Agency’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.
The patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
The patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
The patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
For hospitals, childbirth, including labor and delivery. (Listed for statutory completeness; the Agency does not provide labor and delivery services.)
Pediatric patients.
10.0 Consensual Physical Contact
Consistent with Section 408.823(2)(a), F.S., the Agency permits consensual physical contact between a patient and a visitor.
11.0 Essential Caregiver Designation
A patient (or the patient’s legal representative) may designate a family member, friend, guardian, or other individual as an Essential Caregiver. Each Essential Caregiver shall be permitted in-person visitation for at least two (2) hours daily, in addition to any other visitation authorized by the Agency. The Agency does not require an Essential Caregiver to provide care to the patient.
12.0 Visitor Compliance and Suspension of Visitation
The Agency may require a visitor to agree in writing to follow this policy. Pursuant to Section 408.823(2)(d), F.S., the Agency may suspend in-person visitation of a specific visitor if the visitor violates this policy. A patient whose Essential Caregiver is suspended may designate a replacement Essential Caregiver.
13.0 Website Posting
Consistent with Section 408.823(2)(f), F.S., this policy will be made easily accessible from the homepage of the Agency’s website within twenty-four (24) hours after establishment or revision.
14.0 Coordination with Contracted Inpatient Facilities
When a patient receives general inpatient or respite care at a contracted Medicare-certified inpatient facility:
• The inpatient facility’s visitation policies and procedures govern visitation at that facility, as required by Section 408.823, F.S., which applies to facility licensees.
• The Agency will provide the inpatient facility with a copy of this policy and will coordinate to support patient and family visitation consistent with Section 408.823, F.S.
• The Agency will advocate for the patient if visitation at the inpatient facility is restricted in a manner inconsistent with Section 408.823, F.S., or with the patient’s wishes