BayCare Announces Hospital Visitation Changes

March 13, 2020

The leading health system in the region places new restrictions to curb coronavirus spread

hospital interior

Clearwater, Fla., (March 13, 2020) – With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Florida, BayCare Health System is implementing visitor restrictions at its hospitals across the Tampa Bay region to safeguard the health of patients, team members, physicians and the community. 

“To protect the health and wellbeing of all we serve, we believe it is prudent to take this step at this time,” said Dr. Nishant Anand, BayCare’s Chief Medical Officer.

Starting Friday, consistent with BayCare’s procedures to limit the spread of infectious diseases, BayCare facilities will start screening visitors for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the disease resulting from the novel coronavirus. Those who are deemed a risk will be restricted from entering the facility and may be referred to an Emergency Department. In an abundance of caution, also restricted from visiting are all children under the age of 18.

BayCare did not come to this decision lightly. Familial and social connections can be important to patients’ recovery and BayCare encourages loved ones to leverage video conferencing, such as FaceTime, to keep in touch with patients. 

“We appreciate the public’s cooperation and regret that this may provide a hardship for our patients and their families,” said Dr. Anand. “The health of our patients, team members, physicians and community is too important to not take action to counter the spread of the novel coronavirus."

Hillsborough County
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, Tampa
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa
St. Joseph’s Hospital – North, Lutz
St. Joseph’s Hospital – South, Riverview
St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, Tampa
South Florida Baptist Hospital, Plant City

Pasco County
Morton Plant North Bay, New Port Richey

Pinellas County
Bardmoor Emergency Center, Largo
BayCare Alliant Hospital, Dunedin
Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor
Mease Dunedin Hospital
Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater
St. Anthony’s Hospital, St. Petersburg

Polk County
Bartow Regional Medical Center
Winter Haven Hospital
Winter Haven Women’s Hospital

About BayCare Health System
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide range of services at 15 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient locations throughout the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care, imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness. Our mission is to improve the health of all we serve through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. For more information, visit www.BayCare.org.

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