“No Patient Left Alone Act”
During times when circumstances restrict Resident visitation, such as a pandemic or presence of any infectious diseases that may require isolation, the Florida Statute 408.823, “No Patient Left Alone Act”; signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in April 2022 requires Oak Village and Silver Lake Village Assisted Living to implement policy that allows a Resident to have in-person visits by an Essential Caregiver during these circumstances.
The visitation policies and procedures required by this statute must allow in-person visitation by Essential Caregivers in all of the following circumstances, unless the Resident, client or patient objects:
1. End-of-life situations
2. A resident, client, or patient who was living with family before being admitted to the provider’s care is struggling with the change in environment and lack of in-person family support 3. The resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions
4. A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died
5. A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver
6. A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking
Oak Village and Silver Lake Village Assisted Living requires the following procedures to comply with this statute. Before in-person visitation, all Essential Caregivers must adhere to the following procedures:
a. Sign in upon entering the facility and before interacting with any staff, residents, family members or friends
b. Comply with the Infection control and education policies for visitors, which may require a visitor to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including wearing a face mask and/or any other necessary PPE and perform hand hygiene. Staff will advise on current PPE requirements
c. The Essential Caregiver shall sign this policy acknowledging an understand of visitation policies. Failure of visitors to adhere to the policy shall result in suspension of in-person visitation d. Submit to a screening which may include temperature screening and/or a questionnaire about health status
e. Visitation hours will be 9am – 9pm as per FL Statute 429.28 (1)(d). Any visitation outside of those hours will be considered upon request to the Administrator. During these hours, in-person visitation by the essential caregiver is allowed for at least 2 hours daily in addition to any other visitation authorized by the provider
f. While minimizing physical contact and practicing social distancing to limit exposure, consensual physical contact between a resident and their visitor is NOT prohibited.
g. A resident may designate a visitor who is a family member, friend, guardian or other individual as an essential caregiver. This section does not require an essential caregiver to provide necessary care to a resident or other patient of a provider, and providers may not require an essential caregiver to provide such care
At Oak Village and Silver Lake Village we are committed to providing the best care possible and ensuring the well-being of our Residents, including honoring the resident’s rights to visitation with their loved ones. If you have experienced resistance when visiting with your loved one, please reach out to the Administrator (Oak Village), Steffanie Bongiovanni (386) 956-5574.
You may also file a complaint with the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) for further review and action. Submitting this complaint online via HCF Complaint Form | AHCA Healthcare Facility Complaint Form may assist the Agency in expediting review with the goal of swift resolution. If you prefer to make this complaint via telephone, please contact dedicated phone line for visitation related complaints at 888-775-6055. .
