Oak Hill Hospital Shares New Hospital Policies Related to Pandemic | Whittel & Melton

July 2, 2020

Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville has a new visitor policy in effect now. This is a direct result of the increase in the spread of COVID-19 in the communities of Brookville, Spring Hill, and throughout the state of Florida.

Our Hernando County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have compiled everything you need to know should you need to go to the hospital.

Currently there are no visitors allowed at Inpatient Units, but exceptions can be made after approval from the hospital Administrator on Call (AOC) for:

• Patients in hospice care or are considered end of life patients.
• Labor and delivery will be allowed one visitor.
• For the postpartum unit, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as well as pediatrics unit, one visitor can stay overnight.
• Behavioral Health Units have special requirements that can be viewed here.

Emergency Rooms

Only one visitor is permitted for an ER patient. Once admitted to the hospital, the visitor will be asked to leave.

Outpatient Procedures

For those having outpatient surgery or surgeries that require sedation, one visitor is permitted. The visitor can wait in the waiting room. If the outpatient is admitted, then the visitor must leave.

General Rules

Unless they are the parent of a child that is under hospitalization, no one under 18 will be granted visitation rights.

All authorized visitors must wear a mask at all times, including in the patient’s room, and hand sanitize their hands when entering and exiting a patient’s room. All visitors will have their temperatures taken and be screened for any illness symptoms.

All visitors will be asked to answer these questions:

• Are you experiencing a cough, flu-like symptoms, or any shortness of breath?
• Did you travel outside the United States in the past 14 days (this includes on a cruise ship)?
• Have you been on a plane or train in the last 14 days?
• Have you been in close proximity to anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19 without wearing a facial mask or other protective equipment?
• Are you being tested for coronavirus currently?

A yes answer to any of the above questions will result in you not being allowed to enter the hospital, unless you are in need of emergency medical treatment.

The hospital encourages visitors to still communicate with their friends and family members during these strange times. Phones, FaceTime, and Skype are all great methods to use.

Oak Hill Hospital is part of the HCA Healthcare West Florida Division, which is enforcing this new and temporary policy in Citrus, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco counties as a proactive response to the growing number of positive COVID-19 cases.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrust a strange, new world on us all. Since there is no vaccine or treatment for this virus, everyone is encouraged to do their part to prevent the spread by continuing to practice physical and social distancing, wearing masks or facial coverings when in public, and washing your hands regularly or using hand sanitizer.

We want to remind you that our Hernando County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are still here for you during these unprecedented times. We are still available to assist you with any legal matters or questions you have 24/7. Protecting your legal rights is our top priority, so if you find yourself in need of legal counsel, we are here for you. We represent clients in Hernando County in Spring Hill and Brooksville, as well as throughout the state of Florida.

If your legal rights have been adversely affected by the novel coronavirus, please contact us for a completely free consultation. We can help you understand your legal options and put together a plan of action to get you the best results possible.