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Updated Visitor Guidelines

To protect our patients and their loved ones, we have implemented the following visitation policy at our hospitals to ensure the safest possible environment. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, patients at any of our four hospitals may have one visitor at a time and can switch out visitors. Visitors must adhere to the following:

  • All visitors must be subject to and pass entry screening criteria upon each entry and re-entry.
  • Standard visitation hours will be from 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • This does not apply to end-of-life visitation.
  • This does not apply to our Emergency Rooms. One visitor will be allowed anytime into the ER with a patient.
  • Patients admitted outside of visitation hours will be allowed to have one visitor accompany them to the unit and stay until the patient is settled into their room.
  • Masks must be worn by visitors at all times.
  • All visitors must be 18+.
  • No overnight visitation
    • Exceptions for pediatrics and maternity services. (See below.)

We encourage our patients who are hospitalized to utilize smartphones and other technologies to have virtual visits with their loved ones. An iPad will be provided to patients upon request, based on availability.

Visitor Policy Exceptions:

Emergency Room

  • Patients in the emergency room may have one visitor at bedside. Patient awaiting a ride may wait in the waiting room.
  • In the event a patient is not able to give or receive medical information, a visitor may accompany them into the ER for the purpose of the evaluation and disposition - as defined by the ER provider.
  • For an adult (parent/guardian) presenting for treatment in the ER with an accompanying child, that child may be allowed to remain with the adult.

Pediatric Patients

  • May have two visitors who must either be parents or guardians.
  • All visitors must be 18+.

Maternity Services & NICU

  • May have one visitor with the exception of a patient who has a certified doula. In this case, the patient may have both the support person and certified doula.

Surgical or Cardiac Catheterization Patient

  • Patients who come in for surgery or a procedure and are admitted can have one visitor accompany them to their room.

COVID-19 positive and Patients Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 will not be allowed any visitors - with the exception of end of life patients:

End of Life

  • Two visitors and one clergy member will be allowed
  • Visitation is limited to one visit, lasting up to 30 minutes
  • Visitors will be pre-screened in advance and must pass hospital screening questions and requirements upon entry

Medical Record Requests

Due to our strict visitation policy guidelines, patients requesting medical records are not permitted to come onsite at this time. To request records, patients have the option to submit a request online or call 321.434.3288 for hospital-based records, or 321.549.0695 for Health First Medical Group records.
Click Here for more information or to submit an online request.

General Visitor Guidelines

Visits from friends and relatives are an important part of recovery, and we welcome them too. However, please check with the nurse for any specific guidelines regarding visitors in intensive care, maternity, or other special units.

  • Visitors should receive a Visitor ID pass at the Visitor ID Badging Station at Holmes Regional and Palm Bay Hospital.
  • Wash hands prior to entering or leaving a patient's room.
  • Visitors should refrain from visiting when ill or recently exposed to a communicable illness or infection.
  • Visitors should maintain privacy by only entering the room of the patient they are visiting.
  • Facilitating rest and recovery by keeping noise and disturbances to a minimum.
  • Wear protective equipment when applicable.
  • Refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol or using illegal drugs on Health First premises.
  • Visitors should wear appropriate clothing such as shoes and shirts.
  • Abide by patient preferences, as well as clinically necessary restrictions or limitations.
  • Refrain from interfering with normal health care operations.
  • Limit visitation to times specified by each facility.

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Patient confidentiality - The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) governs how we use a patient's private health information. Physicians and hospital staff are not able to discuss a patient's condition with visitors unless the patient has specifically given us permission to do so.

Smoking policy - For the health and safety of our patients, visitors, staff, physicians, and volunteers, absolutely no smoking is permitted on Health First premises. In the interest of better health for all, we support smoking cessation through our Freedom from Smoking classes.

Patient safety - Safety is our number one priority. We encourage patients to remind everyone who comes in contact with them -- including staff and visitors -- about the importance of good hand hygiene. Also, please don't be frightened if you hear alarms; check with a nurse to see if a drill is taking place.