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 face masks 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 with limited entry points. In Port Charlotte there are only two entry points to the building, the main entrance and ER. In Punta Gorda, access remains controlled with only one entry point to the building, the ER.
- Everyone who enters the hospital is screened, including physicians and staff.
- 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.
- 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.
- Any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in the hospital are grouped together in the same unit away from other patients with dedicated care teams that do not cross over to non-COVID-19 care zones.
Where do I go for pre-admission testing?
At both facilities, pre-admission testing is done by appointment. Once your appointment is scheduled you will be instructed where to go.
Where do I go when I come back for my surgery?
As you come to the hospital for your appointment, you will be instructed to enter through the main entrance or ER entrance 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 within 48 - 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.
Current Visitor Guidelines
Note: Visitation hours do not apply to Labor and Delivery and the Emergency Department. Some departments may have additional visitor restricted hours such as ICU.
- Visiting hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week
- Visitors must be 12 years old and complete a health screening upon entry
- No visitor should have a fever, cough, cold or flu-like symptom
- No one should visit if they have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- Visitors must observe infection prevention protocols, including wearing personal protective gear, hand hygiene and masking at all times (gaiter-style face coverings and cloth masks ARE NOT allowed)
- Visitor restrictions can be changed at any time and are at the discretion of ShorePoint Health
Non-COVID Patients:
- 2 visitors at a time for inpatients
- Additional visitors may sit in the lobby and go up as other visitors come down
- 1 visitor can stay overnight with patient
COVID Positive Patients
- 2 visitors per day
- Visitors must wear full PPE to include: level 3 masks, gown and gloves
- Visitor must remain in the room and may not visit any other location in the facility
- 1 visitor can stay overnight with patient
- Visitors may not eat in the patient room
ED Visitation
- 1 visitor allowed with the patient at a time (visitors are allowed to switch out)
- Visitation may be restricted based on the nature of the emergency
- Visitation will be at the discretion of ShorePoint Health
COVID visitation for the WNS unit
NICU
Both parents are allowed to visit
No more than 2 visitors at the bedside at a time
Mom may have a list of 4 people that would be permitted to visit. These visitors must be accompanied by either the mom or the dad (banded person)
PP/L&D
- 4 visitors per day with no more than 2 visitors at the bedside at a time
- Visitors must be the same 4 people for the length of the patients stay
- Siblings may visit for short periods of time (during visiting hours) and must be accompanied by an adult. Children should never be left in the care of the admitted patient
- Mothers are allowed 1 visitor, ages 18 and over, to stay overnight
The emergency department will continue to be available 24/7. We will continue to welcome those serving as interpreters, acting as health care power of attorney for patients or for a patient facing an end-of-life prognosis.
The hospital has free Wi-Fi, so we encourage friends and family to connect with their loved one using Facetime or another video communication app.