Patients & Visitors
Is it safe to have surgery at your hospital?
Our hospitals continuously work to be prepared for all types of infectious diseases. In addition to wearing face masks and other personal protective equipment, and washing hands before and after caring for each patient, we have taken a number of additional steps designed to keep all who enter the facility safe. These include:
- In order to continue to provide a safe environment, we are asking anyone visiting to bring a face mask. The face mask must be worn at all times.
- All employees, physicians and patients are required to wear masks at all times.
- Surgical patients are tested for COVID-19 as part of pre-surgery and are asked to self-quarantine after the test is performed.
- Cleaning and disinfection has intensified, especially frequently touched surfaces and spaces.
- Your services will be provided in a defined non-COVID-19-care zone where all patients have been screened negative for COVID-19.
Where do I go for Pre-Admission Testing?
A phone pre op assessment will be conducted by one of our specialized RN’s within 48-72 hours after your surgery is scheduled. This will review your history, general health, medications, COVID screening questions, pre-operative testing date and time, confirm your date of surgery and your arrival time. This is also the time to ask any questions you may have.
Where do I go when I come back for my surgery?
As you come to the hospital, you will be instructed to enter through the outpatient entrance in front of the hospital and we ask that you bring and wear your own personal mask. Once inside, a staff member will escort you to our pre-op surgery department.
Do I need a COVID-19 test before my surgery?
A COVID-19 test will be a part of your pre-surgery testing. Your doctor will let you know if this is needed and will arrange for you to complete your pre-surgery testing prior to the date of the procedure to allow time to receive the test results. If you are tested, you will need to self-quarantine after the test is performed.
Why do I need to self-quarantine after my COVID-19 test?
To protect you, our physicians and staff, everyone entering the building must be free from symptoms of the coronavirus infection. Entering self-quarantine after you’ve been tested for COVID-19 limits your exposure to anyone who may be carrying the virus and prevents the spread of disease.
Will I be allowed to have a family member or friend accompany me to surgery?
Surgical patients are permitted to have one person accompany them before and after the procedure. During the procedure they will have the option to wait in the outpatient waiting room or in their car and to leave a contact number with the staff for a status call. For surgical patients admitted to the hospital, one visitor will be permitted and it will be the same person throughout the patient’s entire length of stay. This person will be listed as the patient’s emergency contact.
Current Visitor Guidelines
Limiting Visitor Access
- Patients admitted to the hospital will be permitted one visitor, including labor and delivery and NICU, and it will be the same person throughout the patient’s entire length of stay. This person will be listed as the patient’s emergency contact.
- Emergency room patients are permitted one visitor in the treatment room once the patient is stabilized. The physician or charge nurse may restrict the visitation based on patient condition.
- Patients with visitor restrictions, such as on isolation precautions, will be permitted a visitor when their condition improves. Additionally, we do not allow visitation with COVID-19 patients or those patients under investigation for COVID-19. Exceptions will be considered for end of life situations.
- Anyone visiting should bring a face mask. The face mask must be worn the entire time they are in the facility.
Screening
- Self-screening signage will be added at main lobby, outpatient lobby and ER entrances. Anyone entering the building is attesting that they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu and have not had unprotected close contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
What You Can Do
- Our environmental services team is paying rigorous attention to cleaning and disinfection protocols.
- Wear a mask. They are required in all areas of the hospital.
Wash Your Hands Often
- Perform hand hygiene frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty or with soap and water if hands are dirty.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Practice respiratory hygiene by coughing or sneezing into a bent elbow or tissue and then immediately disposing of the tissue.
We also encourage our patients to connect with family and friends by using Facetime or another video communication app.
At Bayfront Health Spring Hill, we understand that coming to the hospital as a patient or as a loved one's support person can be a difficult, often overwhelming experience. Whether you’re preparing for a hospital stay or stopping by to see friends and family, knowing where to go and what to bring will help make your visit less stressful. To make your experience easier, we want to provide you with helpful information you may need to plan your visit, such as what to expect, parking instructions, transportation and more.
Learn more about what to expect during your stay by viewing our patient information guide here.