VISITATION POLICY
PURPOSE:
The In-Person Visitation bill has been signed into law, creating Chapter 408.823, which is
subject “In-person visitation.” This policy and these procedures are intended to promote
resident visitation, while maintaining prudent infection control practices within the
community, in compliance with the regulations set forth in Chapter 408.823, Florida
Statutes.
Policy:
No Patient Left Alone Act” (Act), creating s. 408.823
The bill establishes the “No Patient Left Alone Act” (Act), creating s. 408.823, F.S. The bill applies
to developmental disabilities centers as defined in s. 393.063, F.S., hospitals licensed under ch.
395, F.S., nursing home facilities licensed under part II of ch. 400, F.S., hospice facilities licensed
under part IV of ch. 400, F.S., intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled
licensed and certified under part VIII of ch. 400, F.S., and assisted living facilities licensed under
part I of ch. 429, F.S.
The bill requires that, no later than 30 days after the act becomes effective, each provider must
establish visitation policies and procedures that:
• Address specified topics including infection control and education protocols and policies
for visitors, permissible lengths of visits, and numbers of visitors.
• May not be more stringent than what the provider requires for staff.
• May not require proof of vaccine or immunization.
• Must allow consensual physical contact between the resident, client, or patient and the
visitor.
• Must allow in-person visitation under specified circumstances including:
o End-of-life situations.
o A resident, client, or patient who was living with his or her family before being
admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and
lack of in-person family support.
o Resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
o A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss
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of a friend or family member who recently died.
o A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was
previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
o A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom
speaking.
o Hospitals, childbirth, including labor and delivery.
o Pediatric patients
The following are the procedures to be followed relating to visitation and to identify Essential
Caregivers for residents as well as the expectations of both General Visitors and Essential
Caregivers. These procedures will be administered equally to all residents that request to have
an Essential Caregiver.
Essential Caregiver visitors provide emotional support to help a resident deal with a difficult
transition or loss, upsetting event, making major medical decisions, needs cueing to eat and
drink, stops speaking, or end-of-life. Essential Caregiver visitors may be allowed entry into
facilities on a limited basis for these specific purposes. At a minimum, the Community must
allow an Essential Caregiver in-person visitation for at least 2-hours daily under the above
referenced circumstances. At EVERLASTING FAMILY HOME CARE SERVICES, the 2-hour
visitation will be between 9:00a.m. – 9:00p.m.
All visitors who do not meet the requirements of an Essential Caregiver shall be considered
General Visitors ("General Visitors”).
Number of visitors that a resident is allowed to have. Each resident is allowed to have 2-3
visitors in a regular visit. For an event such as a birthday,or an anniversary the resident is
allowed to have up to 5-6 visitors.
The administrator is the designated person responsible for staff adherence to visitation policies
and procedures
PROCEDURES:
An Adult who is a resident of EVERLASTING FAMILY HOME CARE SERVICES has the right to
designate a spouse, family member or caregiver who may visit the Assisted Living Facility
from Sunday to Saturday 9am – 9pm. The facility may limit visitations based on this policy as
it relates to the following conditions:
1. The presence of visitors is medically or therapeutically contraindicating.
2. The presence of visitors interferes with the care or rights of the resident.
3. The Visitor is engaging in disruptive or violent behavior.
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4. Visitors are non-compliant with EVERLASTING FAMILY HOME CARE SERVICES. Policies. For
compliance with Florida Statute Chapter 408.823, designation and utilization of essential
caregiver visitors and rules of visitation. Before in-person visitation, all Essential
Caregivers must adhere to the following procedures:
1. Sign in upon entering the facility and before interacting with any staff, residents,
family members or friends.
2. Comply with the Infection control and education policies for visitor Infection Control
policies may require a visitor to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including
properly wear a face mask and other necessary PPE and perform hand hygiene.
StafF will provide directions on the proper use of PPE.
3. 4. The Visitor shall sign this policy acknowledging an understanding of visitation
policy Failure of visitors to adhere to the policy shall result in suspension of
in-person visitation.
Submit to a Screening which may include temperatures and/or a questionnaire about
health status Visitors are NOT required to submit proof of vaccination or
immunization.
5. Visitation hours will be 9 a.m to 9 p.m. as per FS 429.28 (1)(d). Any visitation outside of
those hours will be considered upon request to the Administrator. During these hours,
in person visitation by the essential caregiver is allowed for at least 2 hours daily in
addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider.
6. All residents and/or POA/Guardian, if appropriate, will be asked if they want to identify
an Essential Caregiver.
7. All new residents will be asked if they would like to identify an Essential Caregiver upon
move-in.
8. The Community shall maintain a visitor log for signing in and out.
9. No more than three Essential Caregiver visitors may be designated per resident.
10. The Community is not required to provide for “facility-provided” COVID-19
testing. However, the Community may choose to conduct COVID testing of residents,
visitors, and staff, and said testing shall be in accordance with the most recent CDC
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and FDA guidance. The cost of this testing cannot be passed on to the visitor.
11. Essential Caregiver visitors must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per
Community’s Infection Control Policies. The PPE required must be consistent with the
most recent CDC guidance for healthcare workers.
12. The Community designer will thoroughly screen the visitor per the Community’s
infection control policy and procedure and document the name of the individual, the
date and time of entry, and the screening mechanism used, along with the screening
employee’s name and signature. Just as with staff entering the building, if the visitor fails
the screening, the visitor CANNOT be allowed entry.
Visitors are required to comply with reasonable safety protocols and rules of conduct. If
personal protective equipment is required for visitation, it’s the responsibility of the visitor to
provide their own. EVERLASTING FAMILY HOME CARE SERVICES may revoke visitors right if
visitors fail to comply with our visitation policy. The rights specified in this act may not be
terminated, suspended, or waived by the ALF, State Department of Health, or any
governmental entity, notwithstanding declarations of emergency declared by the Governor
or the Legislature. By signing this policy spouse, family member, or caregiver are aware of
guidelines as pertains to this “EVERLASTING FAMILY HOME CARE SERVICES" visitation policy.
The administrator is the designated person responsible for staff adherence to visitation policies
and procedures.
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Family Member Signature Date