Venice Regional Bayfront Health Welcomes Return Of Visitors, Announces Private Rooms

(Venice, FL – September 17, 2020) – Venice Regional Bayfront Health announced two moves to improve patient experience at the community hospital. Starting Friday, September 17, visitors will again be welcome, following guidelines to maintain health and safety. In addition, the hospital will now utilize most shared patient rooms as private rooms to further enhance patient safety and comfort.

“Visits from friends and family, which have been suspended since March because of COVID-19, are an important part of the recovery process for our patients,” said Beryl Ramsey, Interim CEO, “We are confident that the guidelines we have established will protect the health and safety of patients, visitors and our staff.”

Patients may have visitors between the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days per week. Other guidelines in place include:

•       Patients are allowed one visitor per day.

•       Visitors must wear a face mask at all times and observe social distancing.

•       The Emergency Department will continue to be available 24/7. 

•       Visitors must enter through a screening checkpoint for a temperature check and a series of questions regarding health and recent travel.

•       Emergency Room patients are allowed one visitor in the treatment room; however, visitation may be restricted based on patient condition. 

•       Patients with visitor restrictions, such as a suspected or positive COVID-19 diagnosis, or on isolation precautions, will be allowed visitors when their condition improves.

•       For patients with visitor restrictions, we encourage family and friends to connect with them by using Facetime or another video communication app.  Patients have free access to our Guest WiFi network.

•       Visitors must remain in the patient’s room at all times. This includes both the Emergency Department and inpatient rooms.

•       Visitors may accompany a patient who is having a procedure/surgery during the registration process but must then exit until the patient completes the procedure/surgery.

•       If a visitor has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, traveled from a high-risk area for COVID-19 (as identified by the CDC), or had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19, they will not be allowed to visit unless seeking medical care themselves. 

Visitor information is available on the hospital’s website at https://www.veniceregional.com/covid-19.

Offering nearly all private rooms will provide many benefits. Larger space will allow easier movement to reduce falls and provide more space for the care team and visitors. Private rooms also can improve rest and quality of sleep, reduce noise, and provide greater privacy during consultations with the care team.

“Private rooms provide individual comforts that can improve the patient experience,” Beryl Ramsey said. “Patients will have more control over their environment, such as choosing when and what to watch on television or listen to music without disturbing another patient.”