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 facemasks 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:
- Access remains controlled. Everyone who enters the hospital is screened, including physicians and staff.
- Please enter the hospital through the emergency department. Surgical patients enter through the outpatient green pathway. The green zone pathway indicates that everyone entering this way has either been tested negative for Covid-19 or has screened negative for symptoms.
- All employees, physicians, and patients are expected to wear masks.
- Surgical patients are tested for COVID-19 as part of pre-surgery and are asked to self-quarantine after the test is performed. Upon arrival the day of their procedure, they will receive a screening questionnaire and be asked to wear a mask.
- Visitors to inpatient areas remain restricted. Exceptions may be made for pediatric patients and end of life situations.
- Surgical patients may have one family member or friend accompany them into the hospital prior to surgery but they will be asked to leave and provide a contact number. We will call and update your loved one with your progress.
- Cleaning and disinfection has intensified, especially frequently touched surfaces and spaces.
- The number of procedures performed each day is being limited to minimize wait times.
- Your services will be provided in a defined non-COVID-19-care zone where all patients have been screened negative for COVID-19. A dedicated team of providers will care for you who only work in this area.
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 op 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. Your temperature will be taken and you will be asked a few questions as part of the screening we do for everyone who enters the hospital, including staff. 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 72 hours 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?
One family member or friend may accompany you to the hospital to drop you off and drive you home. They may only accompany you inside the building if you require assistance for check-in. They then may be asked to wait outside the hospital once you are registered and will be called to return when you can go home.
Visitors to inpatient areas remain restricted. Exceptions may be made for end of life situations.
Current Visitor Guidelines
Our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be part of the healing process. However, as cases in the community and state increase, we must take extra steps to protect our patients, employees, physicians and the community.
Effective July 1, we are restricting all visitations to Bayfront Health Brooksville with the following exceptions:
- One parent, guardian or caregiver for patients under the age of 18.
- One caregiver or partner of patients utilizing the emergency department.
- End of life situations.
Everyone entering the hospital will be screened for COVID-19 and is required to wear a face mask. No visitors under the age of 18 (except under extraordinary circumstances or if they are the parent of a minor patient).
Surgical patients and patients receiving invasive radiology procedures will be dropped off and enter through the outpatient entrance at the front of the hospital. They may accompany the patient inside the building if the patient requires assistance for check-in. The support person or caregiver will provide a contact number and will be asked to wait outside the hospital. They will be called to return when the patient is ready to go home.
If anyone has traveled from a high-risk area for COVID-19, had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 without wearing the proper protective equipment, is currently being tested for COVID-19 or has cough, fever or difficulty breathing, they will not be allowed to visit unless seeking medical care themselves.
At Bayfront Health Brooksville, 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.