COVID-19 TGH Helpline
Questions about COVID-19 or safety measures Tampa General Hospital has put in place to keep you healthy?
Call the TGH Helpline, available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
COVID-19 Online Screening
Concerned you may be experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms? TGH’s advanced online screening tool can check your symptoms and provide information to help you make an informed decision about next steps.*
*This screening tool is based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
Where to Get Care
If you think you may be sick, here are your best options for care.
Call Your Healthcare Provider
Before going into your provider’s office, be sure to call them and follow their recommendation for care.
Use TGH Virtual Health
Connect with a medical care professional any time, any where from your smartphone, tablet or computer, 24/7/365. They will advise you on what to do next
Visit a Designated Evaluation and Testing Site
Tampa General Hospital is not a COVID-19 testing site.
To schedule an appointment at a Hillsborough County COVID-19 testing site, please call (888) 513-6321 or register online at www.HCFLGov.net/COVIDTesting.
TGH Virtual Health
Visit a medical care professional live, anytime, anywhere
Patients, using an app on their mobile devices or computers, can explain their symptoms and hear the medical opinions and advice of a medical care professional. A provider will consult with patients via voice and video in real time.
- Live, face-to-face care for adults and kids.
- Prescriptions can be sent directly to your pharmacy.
- Wait time averages 6 minutes. A doctor can typically result a health care problem in 10 minutes.
Tampa General Hospital Updates
Hospital Bed Availability for COVID-19 Patients
Available
[] COVID-19 Admissions
[] ICU Beds in Use for COVID-19 Patients
Legend
Available Beds for COVID-19 PatientsGreater than 90% Beds Occupied for COVID-19 Patients
Limited Bed Availability for COVID-19 Patients
Note: TGH manages bed capacity and demand with a state-of-the-art command center called CareComm. Through the use of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, TGH is able to efficiently manage patient capacity and demand, including COVID-19 patients.
Visitation Policy
While we believe in family presence and respect the value of having your family with you during your care, we have had to make the difficult decision to make some modifications to our visitation policy for the safety of patients, their loved ones and our team members.
Please see below for our current visitation policy:
- VISITOR HOURS:
- Weekdays in Adult Areas: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 7:00pm *last visitor pass/entry at 6:30pm
- Weekdays in Pediatric Areas: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 7:00pm *last visitor pass/entry at 6:30pm
- Weekends & Holidays in All Areas: Sat/Sun/Holidays: 10:00am - 6:00pm *last visitor pass/entry at 5:30pm
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VISITOR REGULATIONS
- Visitors must:
- Be 18 years of age or older and provide a government issued photo identification
- Be screened for COVID and illness symptoms prior to being approved for entry
- Remain in patient rooms
- Remain fully masked at all times, regardless of visitation status
- Limitations include:
- No visitation with COVID-19 patients in active isolation unless an end of life exception has been made.
- For your safety, we recommend you limit visitors to the same person for the duration of your stay.
- Outside food deliveries & dining-in at any of our food service areas are not permitted. There is take-out (only) available from our Food Court, McDonalds, and Starbucks.
- Do NOT eat meals in patient rooms while any care team members are present. If you briefly remove your mask, in order to sip water or eat a small snack brought in with you; please do so & immediately replace your mask completely over your nose and mouth. (Overnight visitors in Pediatrics, Women’s, or special circumstances, please refrain from eating with caregivers in rooms).
- All visitors must scan their pass out prior to leaving the building at the designated station.
- AREA SPECIFIC VISITOR PASSES:
- One visitor at a time may remain during designated visiting hours.
- One parent or guardian is encouraged to stay at the bedside at all times.
- A second visitor is permitted, one visitor at a time, during pediatric visiting hours.
- 1 significant other/support person visitor pass * remains bedside for labor & for duration of stay
- 2nd support person visitor pass * remains bedside for labor & then exits the building
*If a doula is engaged, they are the 2nd support person - 1 significant other/support person visitor * remain bedside for duration of stay
- 2nd support person, at a time, during visiting hours.
*If the significant other/support person chooses to exit the building at night, a second pass will not be issued - Pre & Post-Operative areas: No visitation except for pediatric. One parent will be able to remain with a pediatric patient.
- One visitor pass will be issued per patient, you may come and go during the surgery.
- 1 visitor pass * may remain throughout designated visiting hours
- Adult: 1 visitor pass * remain bedside * visitation guidelines above apply if patient is admitted
- Pediatric ER: 2 parent/guardian visitor passes * remain bedside *visitation guidelines above apply if patient is admitted
- *For everyone’s safety, we reserve the right to ask ER visitors to remain in their cars until the patient is placed in their room during times when the volumes do not allow for physical distancing.
- At Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices where we can ensure physical distancing, a patient plus one support person may be present in the room for their visit.
- Please note - this does not apply to our Transplant Services or our Oncology Offices or our Cancer Center.
- If possible, a patient plus their 1 support person will be asked to remain in their car or outside the facility until their appointment time.
- The 1 support person must be free from COVID symptoms
- Both the patient and support person must wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times
- *For everyone’s safety, we reserve the right to limit access to the patient only during times when volumes will not allow for physical distancing.
- Adult Inpatient Areas
- Pediatric Inpatient Areas
- Labor & Delivery Areas
- Postpartum Areas
- Surgical/Procedural Areas
- Testing Areas (radiology, lab, pre-admission testing)
- Emergency Room Areas
- TGMG Primary Care Offices:
Contact Numbers
In anticipation of questions regarding COVID-19 or specific procedures, Tampa General Hospital has opened a TGH Helpline. People can call to ask questions about COVID-19 and safety measures in place at the hospital or inquire about their upcoming surgeries and procedures. That number is (813) 844-8084.
Surgery Information
For the last several weeks, Tampa General Hospital has provided essential life-saving care to COVID-19 positive and non-COVID infected patients. Now, TGH is ready to offer the same level of medical expertise to patients seeking elective surgeries and procedures; all with the highest level of patient and physician safety in place.
As of May 4, we are resuming all elective surgeries and procedures. For any questions, please call our TGH Helpline at (813) 844-8084.
Tampa General Hospital wants everyone to make their health a priority, but understands the financial challenges caused by this pandemic. For patients who have had their surgeries or procedures rescheduled, TGH is working to update authorizations or resubmit them entirely to prevent payment authorization issues. For any patient concerned about out of pocket expenses, please contact TGH Financial Assistance at 813-844-8084 for the latest information on specific cost sharing estimates and payment options.
As we enter this “new normal” together, Tampa General Hospital wants to assure the community that one thing has not changed: the health and safety of our patients, team members and physicians, has and always will be, our number one priority.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is open, they're selling small plants, fresh flower arrangements, balloons, greeting cards, plush animals, books, magazines, and much more. A selection of personal and toiletry items is also available. Purchases for delivery to patients can be made over the phone with a credit card. The gift shop can be reached at (813) 844-7370. Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tampa General Hospital in the news
Tampa General Hospital leads nation with COVID-19 variant testing
Florida Politics – May 20, 2021
Tampa General One of the Only Florida Hospitals to Perform On-site COVID-19 Variant Testing
The Town-Crier – May 20, 2021
As guidelines change, the question of whether to mask becomes more personal
Tampa Bay Times – May 15, 2021
Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Tampa General Hospital prepared?
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Yes. We regularly treat patients with infectious diseases and complex illnesses and have rigorous infection-prevention protocols. Our infectious disease specialists are highly trained, in continual contact with local, state and federal public health officials and closely monitoring developments.
- Should I keep my medical appointment?
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Yes. Please keep existing appointments unless directed otherwise.
- How dangerous is COVID-19?
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The CDC says the immediate health risk to the general public in the U.S. is low. For most people, the novel coronavirus produces a mild illness, and many of those infected don’t even know they have it. As with influenza, in some cases it can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia and death. It appears that the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are most susceptible.
- How does the disease spread?
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COVID-19 spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (approximately six feet). The virus can be transmitted in droplets that become airborne through a cough or sneeze. You can also be exposed after touching a surface that has the virus on it, and then touching your face, eyes or mouth.
- How can I keep myself healthy?
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While the CDC has determined that the current risk of infection of COVID-19 in the United States remains low, there are steps you can take to stay healthy, such as:
- Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough into your elbow or a tissue and not your hands. Dispose of the tissue.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work and school.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home and do not travel or report to work.
- Practice healthy habits: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
- What are the symptoms?
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According to current information from the CDC, symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. This information is based on what has been seen in similar previous viruses, and it may change as more is known about COVID-19.
- What do I do if I’m sick?
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If you have recently traveled to an area identified as high risk by the CDC or have been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and you have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms, please contact your county health department for direction about testing and treatment. Please do not go directly to the emergency room without contacting your healthcare provider first. TGH Virtual Health is one option for speaking to a physician without leaving your home. Learn more about the TGH Virtual Health service here. The Florida Department of Public Health hotline is another resource and can be reached at 1 (866) 779-6121, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- How are you diagnosed and treated?
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Contact your primary care physician if you experience cold or flu like symptoms. TGH Virtual Health is also a great option for care. It enables patients to seek medical attention from their home while limiting the spread of germs. You can learn more about the TGH Virtual Health service here.
If you have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms AND have traveled internationally or across states, OR have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact your county health department for direction about testing and treatment. The health department will advise you on how to access care if needed and will contact your local hospital.
- Are you accepting donations to the hospital?
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All donation requests should be directed to the TGH Foundation at foundation@tgh.org.
Trusted Sources
COVID-19 is a rapidly changing, global health issues. Access the latest information from the following organizations:
