Tenet Healthcare’s Palm Beach Health Network hospitals are now allowing most patients admitted through the Emergency Department to have a visitor.  This change broadens the current practice of allowing a visitor for elective surgery, maternity and pediatric patients. This enhanced visitation policy applies to the entire network, which includes Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center. 

“We are pleased to welcome visitors back into our hospitals for patients admitted through our emergency rooms upon completion of a safety screening,” said Palm Beach Health Network Chief Executive Officer, Maggie Gill.  “We understand having a support person offers peace of mind for our patients when receiving care in the hospital, and we have the protocols in place to do this safely.”

Should a patient be admitted to a Palm Beach Health Network hospital from the emergency department, one visitor (support person) may join them in their patient room.  Prior to entering the hospital, all visitors will be screened per CDC guidelines, required to wear identification, have a face mask on at all times, and sanitize their hands. Any visitor not meeting these criteria will not be permitted to enter the hospital.  Certain visitor restrictions will remain in place for designated units, including Covid isolation units. 

Safety standards within The Palm Beach Health Network hospitals are built upon deep clinical expertise as well as continuous incorporation of CDC, CMS and state recommendations. These standards are a rigorous combination of infection prevention processes, training, testing, personal protective equipment and technology. Standards include the following components:

• Separate pathways for patient care areas with clear signage and protocols
• Strict physician and staff protocols – daily screening, universal masking and access to PPE
• Heightened sanitization – enhanced cleaning of surfaces and plenty of hand sanitization stations
• Access to testing – testing for patients, physicians and staff who require it

Do not delay care. Ask EMS to take you to a Palm Beach Health Network hospitals, all of which are dedicated to providing excellence and safe, high quality care.