The No Patient Left Alone Act

To guarantee Florida families the fundamental right to visit their loved ones who are receiving care in an Intermediate Care Facilities for the developmentally disabled (long-term care facilities). and every health care facility must allow their residents and patients to be hugged by their loved ones.  Consumers will be permitted visitors for any of the following reasons:

• End-of-life situations.
• 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.
• A resident, client, or patient is making one or more major medical decisions.
• A resident, client, or patient is experiencing emotional distress or grieving the loss of a friend or family member who recently died.
• A resident, client, or patient needs cueing or encouragement to eat or drink which was previously provided by a family member or caregiver.
• A resident, client, or patient who used to talk and interact with others is seldom speaking.
• For hospitals, childbirth, including labor and delivery.
• No health care facility in Florida may require a vaccine as a condition of visitation.

Woodhouse Visitation Policy

All Woodhouse, Inc. consumers have the right to private, unsupervised visits from anyone they choose.  The consumer, or their Guardian, may prohibit certain individuals from having access to the consumer.  They may also choose to limit access to public or supervised visits.  Certain former employees of Woodhouse, Inc. may be banned from the property, or from having contact with its consumers or employees.  In order to maintain the privacy, dignity, and safety of the consumers, the following guidelines have been established by the Resident Government for all visitors:

1. To ensure that the consumer is available and wants to see the visitor, all visitors are to call the Program Manager to arrange a time. If the PM is not available, the visitor may make arrangements with the any member of the Management team at the residence or the Day Program Director at the day program.
2. Upon arrival to the facility, visitors will announce themselves to the direct care staff and sign the visitors log located at the entrance of the facility. The visitor must also have their temperature taken by medical department or a team member. Al visitors must wear a non-surgical mask (no cloth).
3. Visitors should dress accordingly to the activities of the day.  For safety reasons, enclosed shoes are encouraged.  Dangling jewelry is discouraged.
4. No visitors may participate in the consumers’ self-care tasks.  These duties will be performed by the direct care staff.
5. The use or possession of drugs or alcohol at the facility is prohibited.  Arriving on the property while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will result in being asked to leave the property immediately.
6. No smoking is permitted at the facility or on the grounds, including inside cars that are parked in the facility’s parking lot.
7. The possession of any weapon, including pocketknives or pepper spray is prohibited.
8. Visitors are welcome during appropriate hours, generally from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends and holidays. Due to the dangers of distraction, visiting during mealtimes is discouraged, unless it is a meal planed for visitors. Monday – Friday, visitors are encouraged to visit after 4:30 pm and leave by 7:00 pm.
9. Visitors can be asked to leave an anytime if they are causing a disturbance or violating the Rights of All Persons with Developmental Disabilities.
10. Visitors are also encouraged to visit in the non-common areas.  They are welcome to visit on the patio, memorial garden or in consumer’s room.
11. Visitors will follow company policies when visiting consumers by wearing a mask and getting temperature by medical department.
12. If a visitor appears to be sick, they may be asked to leave.