COVID-19
Your health and safety are our top priority.
Hospital Reopening Announcements
Our clinics are open, elective procedures are ready to be scheduled, and our emergency rooms continue to be a safe place to treat ALL emergencies. From serious conditions to aches and pains, your health care needs didn’t stop. We know this. And now it’s time to get you and your family the advanced medical care you need.
Melbourne Regional Medical Center is taking additional, necessary preparations to ensure patients can receive compassionate care in a safe, carefully managed environment – with confidence and without fear.
Our Safe and Ready program consists of a rigorous six-point standard ensuring patient safety, confidence and convenience:
- Expanded hours will allow previously cancelled procedures to be scheduled as quickly as possible.
- Any COVID-19 related care takes place in designated areas away from other patients and their families.
- Emergency Departments are reorganized to be a safe place to treat all emergency patients.
- A stringent cleaning policy has been implemented throughout the hospital.
- A strictly controlled visitor and masking policy is required for patient safety.
- Thorough multi-point screening procedures to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff.
You can rest assured that we have made the necessary preparations to care for you in a safe, controlled and professional way.
Visitor Restrictions
Steward Health Care hospital Melbourne Regional Medical Center is taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to balance the need of accommodating COVID-19 patients in the state of Florida.
Out of an abundance of caution and for the protection of our patients, visitors and staff, the following temporary visitor restrictions are in effect until further notice:
As of Monday, March 1, limited visitors are permitted except under these special circumstances:
All Potential Visitors must:
1. Enter through the designated areas (Main Lobby and/or Emergency Department) of the hospital. Main lobby is only open Monday-Friday 5:30AM-7:30PM. After hours and weekend visitors must enter through the Emergency Department.
2. Screen negative for COVID symptoms or new risk factors by the Screening Questionnaire.
3. Be 18 years of age or older.
4. A CDC recommended mask must be worn while in the building and must cover your nose and mouth. A mask will be provided if you do not have one.
5. Hand sanitize upon entering and leaving the facility and any patient room.
6. Maintain social distancing while in the facility.
7. Remain in the patient’s room during the visit.
For patients without suspected or active COVID-19:
- May have 1 visitor at a time.
- No visitor under the age of 18 years old.
- People waiting to visit a patient should wait outside, rather than in the hospital waiting rooms or lobby, until the time of their visit.
- No time limit during visitor hours of 7:00am-8:00pm.
Exceptions include:
- Hospice or end-of-life patients may have visitors at the discretion of the Department Director.
- Patients with altered mental status who require a family member for support
For patients having outpatient surgery who are without suspected or active COVID-19:
- May have 1 escort.
For patients with suspected or active COVID-19:
- No visitors are allowed.
Some units or areas of the facility may either restrict all visitors or limit to only one visitor, depending upon the prevalence of COVID-19, quantities of supplies, and space considerations.
*Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in loss of visitor privileges
The teams are working to ensure that we are ready to treat patients in our community who may need care. However, in order to keep our emergency room as free from COVID-19 as possible, we are asking patients to call their primary care provider if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed. Steward Medical Group continues to offer its patients tele-health virtual visits for patients who may have flu-like symptoms and want to speak with a physician; or they may be for patients experiencing other routine ailments but do not wish to go to the doctor’s office.
We ask our community to continue to follow instructions on social distancing and self-quarantine. This is the best way we can slow the spread of disease and increase the chances that we will be able to handle the volume of more severe cases that require hospital care. Additionally, we ask the community to continue to support our front-line providers, including doctors, nurses, other hospital workers, and first responders who are stepping forward in this time of uncertainty.
For more information about COVID-19 visit The Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov, by contacting the Florida Department of Health hotline: 1-866-779-6121 or visiting their website at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/ or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
General Visitation
This measure has put in place for your protection, as well as the protection of patients and hospital staff. We ask for your understanding and appreciate your cooperation in our commitment to keeping our community safe.
Steward Health Care is committed to the safety, health, and well-being of our patients, staff, and the communities we serve. We will provide additional updates as they become available.
In the meantime, for more information, please contact your primary care physician. If you do not have a primary care physician, or you are seeking general coronavirus information, please contact the Florida Department of Health Hotline at 1-866-779-6121 or visit floridahealthcovid19.gov or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
What to do if you're sick
Stay home except to get medical care
- Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
- Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.
- Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Social Distancing
- As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
- Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people.
- Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more information is known.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
Call ahead: If you have a medical appointment, call your doctor’s office or emergency department, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.
Monitor your symptoms
- Seek medical attention, but call first: Seek medical care right away if your illness is worsening (for example, if you have difficulty breathing).
- Call your doctor before going in: Before going to the doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do.
Steward Health Care