Visiting a Patient at Tallahassee Memorial
At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), it is our desire to create an environment that fosters supportive patient and family-centered care, positive health outcomes, and the safety and security of patients, their families, guests, our colleagues, and our community while promoting a healing environment for our patients. We recognize having care partners and family support is vital to the healing process and encourage family and guests to visit patients, subject to patient and family preference and in accordance with the guidelines described below.
To assist with the health and safety of our patients, employees, and visitors, face masks will be required under special circumstances, such as when a patient, visitor, or colleague is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission. This policy applies to all patients, visitors, and colleagues two years of age and older.
Facial covering and other PPE recommendations and/or requirements may be reviewed and reassessed in accordance with national and state standards, state and federal laws, rules, requirements, and regulations in the event of a community outbreak.
Unless otherwise noted, all other hospital policies, procedures, and guidance that encourage or require the use of facial coverings are subject to the standards, protocols, and provisions herein. This policy does not apply to the use of personal protective equipment that is recommended and/or required for chemical or physical hazards.
Visiting a Patient
The COVID-19 Visitation Policy can be found here.
The number of people welcomed at the bedside at any one time will be determined in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary care team.
In situations where there are shared rooms, the number of people at the bedside will include input from both patients and their families. Considerations will also be given to the physical limitations of the space.
The patient has the right to receive family members and visitors whom they designate and may withdraw or deny such consent at any time.
Family members and visitors will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Family members and visitors who are feeling unwell, have an infection, or have symptoms of respiratory illness or flu-like illnesses should not visit patients in the hospital. In this instance, the interdisciplinary team may support family presence through other means using available technology (e.g. telephone, internet).
For the safety of our patients, family members and visitors are required to perform hand hygiene with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub upon entering and leaving the patient’s room.
There may be interruptions to family members and visitors' presence to protect the privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety and security.
Individuals who have concerns regarding the application of this policy and procedure should refer the issue to a member of the unit-based interdisciplinary team. If the issue cannot be resolved at the unit level, it may be referred to Patient Experience, Risk Management, the Administrator on Call, or Security as needed.
Visiting Hours
TMH monitors national and state standards, state and federal laws, rules, requirements, and regulations to determine the prevalence and risk of communicable diseases. In the event of a community outbreak, TMH may alter guest access and visiting hours.
Main Hospital: Family members and guests are welcome to visit 24/7; however, to help support a healing environment, family members and guests are encouraged to promote sleep for the patient between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Neonatal Intermediate Unit (NICU II) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU III): Parents of infants are welcome to visit 24/7.
Behavioral Health Center: Visiting hours are Monday–Sunday from 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m., with additional hours on Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Rehabilitation Center: The Tallahassee Memorial Rehabilitation Center has its own Visitor Policy, which can be found on TMH.ORG.
Accessing the Hospital
The Dozier Atrium entrance is open 24/7 and can be accessed via the P2 Parking Garage.
The M.T. Mustian Center Lobby (for surgical patients) entrance is open to family and guests from 3:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The M.T. Mustian Center (for Intensive Care Units) entrance is open to family and guests from 3:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and can be accessed via the P5 Parking Garage, Level G. For end-of-life situations after 9 p.m., visitors will be able to enter after checking in with security.
The Magnolia Lobby entrance is only open to colleagues via an employee badge.
The Women’s Pavilion is open 24/7 and can be accessed via the P5 Parking Garage. Family members and guests are required to check in at the Security Desk to obtain access to visit a patient.
Masking Requirements
TMH reserves the right to require the use of masks at TMH locations in other circumstances consistent with national and state standards, state and federal laws, rules, requirements, and regulations. While “masks” are defined above in this policy, there may be situations where a specific level of mask protection is required.
Patients - In the event that TMH requires the use of masks, patients may be required to wear a mask in the common areas of TMH locations if the patient is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplets or airborne transmission.
Visitors - In the event that the hospital requires the use of masks, visitors may be required to wear a mask if the visitor is:
- Exhibiting signs or symptoms of/has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplets or airborne transmission
- In any sterile area of a hospital location, including where surgeries or procedures that require aseptic techniques are performed
- In an inpatient or clinical room with a patient who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplets or airborne transmission; or
- Visiting a Patient
- whose treating health care provider has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner that is known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection to the patient from others without signs or symptoms of infection; and
- whose treating provider has determined that the use of a mask is necessary for the patient’s safety.
Colleagues - Colleagues should avoid entering the facility if they are sick. Colleagues who are sick should contact their immediate supervisor and Colleague Health Services. Colleagues will be required to wear an FDA-certified medical/surgical mask (ASTM F2100) or NIOSH-approved respirator if they ARE:
- Conducting sterile procedures,
- Working in a sterile area,
- Working with a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner that is known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to the patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety,
- With a patient on droplet or airborne isolation, or
- Engaging in non-clinical, potentially hazardous activities that require masks or facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.
