On Friday, June 5, Sarasota Memorial Hospital began easing visitor restrictions at its facilities. The new visiting guidelines are as follows:

Only limited visitation is allowed. Upon entry, all visitors must answer screening questions and will have their temperature checked. Visitors must be 18 or older and must wear a hospital provided or cloth face mask (bandannas, scarves and buffs are not permitted). Visitors who refuse to wear a face mask in the hospital will be asked to leave.
 
Hospital inpatients (in areas other than critical care, labor and delivery/mother-baby, pediatrics and the neonatal intensive care unit) may have one visitor per day for a one-hour visit between the hours of 1-6 p.m. Visitors must stay in the patient's room for the duration of the visit.

Critical care patients may have one visitor per day for a 30-minute visit between the hours of 1-6 p.m. Visitors must stay in the patient's room for the duration of the visit.

Emergency care center (ER) patients will be allowed to have one visitor who may accompany the patient to the treatment room or wait in the hospital’s main lobby.

Parents visiting pediatrics or NICU patients may now visit at the same time.

Labor and delivery patients may have one support person, as well as a certified doula and/or licensed community midwife in the event the patient is transferred to SMH for care. No other visitors are allowed in labor and delivery or  mother-baby units. Expectant parents with questions about how this will impact their birth experience may call (941) 313-0943 to speak with a clinical nursing leader.

Patients in surgical, procedural and testing areas may each have one support person, whose access will be limited to hospital's first floor.

Exceptions to this visitor policy may be made in certain extraordinary circumstances, including end-of-life situations. SMH's "no-visitor" restrictions will remain in effect for patients suspected of having COVID-19; those who have tested positive for COVID-19; patients at Bayside Center for Behavioral Health; and patients at the Sarasota Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Rand Boulevard.