July 2, 2021 – Effective immediately, Lee Health is returning to pre-COVID-19 pandemic visitation hours for non-COVID-19 patients. Visitation hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. As necessary for patient care, the number of visitors in a room at one time may be limited at the discretion of the patient’s care team. Visitation is not allowed for COVID-19 patients except for cases of compassionate care.
All visitors must undergo symptom and exposure risk screening at facility entrances and wear a face covering per CDC guidance for universal source control. For this reason, there can be no visitation by children under the age of 2. Children over the age of 2 are required to wear masks like all other visitors, including in mom-baby units. In OB areas, visitation by children under the age of 12 is limited to siblings of the newborn. Other visitation by children can resume to pre-pandemic guidelines.
The movement of visitors throughout the health care facility is restricted and should be limited to only the patient they are visiting or activities related to that patient. Visitation is not allowed during an aerosol-generating procedure.
For outpatient surgery patients, their companion is now allowed to wait inside the facility waiting area once the patient goes into the operating room. While waiting for the patient during surgery, the visitor must remain physically distanced from others and wear a face covering while in the waiting area. The visitor is not allowed to wander throughout the facility while waiting.
For compassionate care visits of COVID-19 patients, gowns, gloves and hospital-supplied masks are required. Training on the donning, doffing and discarding of personal protective equipment is required for those visiting COVID-19 patients. Compassionate visits for COVID-positive patients may include guardians for patients such as minors or those who are developmentally disabled if they normally live with the patient.
People who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should consider not visiting for their own safety. For a list of conditions that put someone at risk of severe illness, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.
For more information about Lee Health, visit www.LeeHealth.org.
About Lee Health
Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
