Normal Visiting Hours Resume At Sarasota Memorial Hospital

SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota Memorial Hospital has resumed normal visiting hours after limiting the number of visitors and times they could visit at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

The hospital updated its visiting hours after seeing a drop in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in the greater Sarasota area and across the country, as well as “increasing immunity from COVID-19 vaccinations,” according to a news release from SMH.

Visitors can now see patients at the hospital between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Most patients are allowed to have two visitors at a time at their bedside during these hours, the hospital said.

“With all of the positive trends we are seeing in the community, and the extra protection afforded by the COVID-19 vaccines, we felt it was time to welcome more visitors back into our hospital,” Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota Campus President Lorrie Liang said. “Having friends and family members at the bedside is an important part of the healing process.”

In general, visitors must be age 16 or older. Some departments, including the Mother-Baby Unit, Critical Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, have specific guidelines, which can be found here.

SMH is still restricting visitors for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, though exceptions will be made for extraordinary circumstances, such as end-of-life situations.

The hospital is also maintaining a universal masking policy for all staff, providers and visitors in public and patient-care areas of its facilities, as well as other pandemic protocols.

While hospital leaders encourage everyone to get their vaccinations, proof of a COVID-19 shot is not required to visit patients, SMH said. No one should visit the hospital if they do not feel well or have any symptoms of respiratory illness.

SMH’s Bayside Center for Behavioral Health remains closed for in-person visitation, but staff can assist with virtual or phone visits. The hospital’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on Rand Boulevard will continue to allow visitation by appointment only.