Visitation Policy

Visitation Policy (All changes effective September 1, 2025)

Accessibility Information

At Tampa General Hospital, we recognize the vital role that loved ones play in the healing process. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for our patients, their families, and our dedicated team members. Your cooperation with our visitation guidelines helps us maintain the highest standards of care and safety. We encourage family presence and visitation that supports the physical and emotional well-being of our patients. Visitors are expected to follow all safety protocols, treat staff with respect, and help preserve the healing environment we strive to maintain.

To ensure a safe and inclusive experience for all:

  • All visitors must proceed through weapons screening and present a government-issued photo ID upon entry.
  • Visitors need to visibly wear the hospital issued visitor pass.
  • Visitors must adhere to all hospital safety guidelines. Threats or acts of violence will result in immediate termination of visitation privileges. Tampa General Hospital is a tobacco-free campus. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco products are strictly prohibited on all hospital-owned or leased properties.
  • TGH does not restrict visitation based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. 

Visitor Hours - Main Hospital

General Visitation hours are from 5:00 am to 9:00pm/7 days a week

  • Family members are encouraged to arrive for bedside rounds/handoff.
  • Family members accompanying a patient for early morning surgical cases may arrive before 5:00 a.m.
  • One patient-designated support person is permitted at the bedside overnight (after 9:00pm). (See overnight visitation below)
  • Children under 16 must be accompanied by a non-patient adult and always supervised. Children will be expected to behave in a manner consistent with a healing environment.
  • In accordance with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, children under 12 will not be permitted to visit patients in strict isolation or at high risk for infection unless authorized by the unit and/or nursing leadership.
  • Communication regarding infection prevention training and safety protocols will be coordinated at the unit level by the team treating the patient.

Visitation Capacity Guidelines

To ensure a healing environment, limitations on the total number of visitors present at one time are necessary due to space constraints.

  • Suggested Daytime Visitation Capacity is three (3) people at a time per patient and requires a daytime visitor pass issued by the hospital.
    • Visitors may take turns coming into the patient room three at a time throughout general visiting hour.
    • Visitors may wait in an alternate waiting area of the hospital to rotate at bedside.
    • Visitor capacity or hours may require a reduction for patient care and safety needs.
    • Visitors may be asked to step outside the room for specific procedures which would introduce risk to the patient or visitor.
  • Exceptions are determined by unit leadership.

Visitation Guidelines: Special Circumstances at TGH

Tampa General Hospital is committed to supporting patients and families while maintaining a safe and healing environment. Below are key variations based on care areas and patient needs:

Patients with Significant Special Needs

  •  May have two support people always present, including overnight and in the Emergency Department.

Muma Children’s Hospital

  • All visitors will undergo additional screening and badging.
  • Pediatric Patients: May have two parents/guardians/support people always present.
  • Minor Children: Visitation is determined by a parent/guardian, who must be present when a minor child visits, unless permission has been given.

Women’s Hospital: Labor & Delivery

  • All visitors will undergo additional screening and badging.
  • Doulas: Considered part of the healthcare team; permitted in OR and Recovery Room unless clinical concerns arise.
  • Triage and Labor Rooms
    • Laboring mothers may choose 2–3 support persons.
    • Visitors may rotate or be substituted at the mother’s request.
    • Visitation may be limited based on clinical circumstances.
  • Labor and Delivery Operating Rooms
    • One support person may be present for cesarean birth, with approval from the physician, the anesthesiologis and the nurse. (non-emergent cases only)

Surgical & Interventional Procedure Areas

  • Pre-op: Family may stay with the patient until the procedure begins.
  • Post-op (PACU): Visitation allowed when the patient can safely receive visitors.
    • May be limited due to clinical needs or other patients requiring care.

Ambulatory Services

  • Family may attend the patient’s visit.
  • Visitor numbers may be limited due to:
    • Space constraints
    • Patient risk factors (e.g., infection risk, immuno-compromised status)

Emergency Department (ED)

  • Adult ED: One visitor may accompany the patient when volume allows.
    • Visitors may be asked to wait in alternate areas during high census periods.
  • Pediatric ED: Up to two parents/guardians may accompany the child.

Overnight Visitation (private and semi-private rooms)

  • Only one adult visitor (18+) per patient is allowed to stay overnight.
  • Visitors must check in daily and receive a new visitation badge.
  • Exceptions apply for patients with special needs or pediatric patients.

Visitors are expected to:

  • Remain in their loved one’s room throughout the night.
  • Use public restrooms only and avoid unnecessary movement around the hospital.
  • Stay on their loved one’s side of the room and respect the roommate’s privacy and rest.
  • Follow all hospital safety protocols, including infection prevention and quiet hours.

Facial Masking Policy for Patients and Visitors

Patients:

Patients are required to wear a mask if they are in a common area and:

  • Are experiencing signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that may be transmitted through droplets or aerosols (upper respiratory infections, chicken pox, meningitis, TB, etc…). Symptoms include but are not limited to coughing, runny nose, fever, stiff neck, new rash, etc…

or

  • have a diagnosis of an infectious disease transmitted through droplets or aerosols.

Provisions for patients who opt out:

If an alternative method of infection prevention is requested, please contact Infection Prevention Department to determine a suitable alternative. Patients or visitors may request to opt out and may do so if an alternative method of infection control is available. Patients and Visitors may not opt out if no alternative method of infection control is available. Patient may not opt-out of any masking requirements in the following circumstances:

  • A Patient has been diagnosed or is exhibiting signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission; or
  • Opting out has been identified by a provider as being medically or programmatically contraindicated for medical, safety or programmatic issues; or
  • Opting-out would otherwise infringe on the rights and would risk the safety or health of other patients, individuals or staff/employees of Hospital.

Visitors:

Visitors should avoid entering the clinical facility if they are sick, unless absolutely necessary. If entering the facility visitors will be required to wear a mask if they:

  • Are experiencing signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that may be transmitted through droplets or aerosols (upper respiratory infections, chicken pox, meningitis, TB, etc…). Symptoms include but are not limited to coughing, runny nose, fever, stiff neck, new rash, etc…)
  • Have a diagnosis of a confirmed or suspected infectious disease that is transmitted through droplets or aerosol.
  • Are accompanying a patient in a sterile area or where sterile procedures are being performed.
  • Are visiting a patient that is experiencing signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that may be transmitted through droplets or aerosols.
  • Are visiting a patient with a suspected or confirmed infectious disease that is transmitted through droplet or aerosols. Are visiting a patient whose treating health care practitioner has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase risk of transmission of an infection from employees without signs or symptoms of infection to a patient and whose treating practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient’s safety.

Provisions for visitors who opt out:

If there are no alternative methods of infection prevention, a visitor may not opt-out of any masking requirements in the following circumstances:

  • The visitor has been diagnosed or is exhibiting signs or symptoms of an infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;
  • Opting-out would otherwise infringe on the rights and would risk the safety or health of other patients, individuals or staff/employees of Hospital.
  • There are no alternative methods of infection prevention.

View the full Facial Masking Policy here.

Weapons Screening

Effective January 2, 2023

To ensure the safety and health of all those who enter our hospital, all patients, visitors and vendors are required to go through weapons screening prior to entering the hospital. No firearms or weapons are permitted on hospital property. Our number one priority is to protect patients, visitors, volunteers, team members and physicians.

  • All persons will be asked to enter through a walk-through weapons screening unit located at the hospital Main Entrance or Emergency Department screening checkpoints. Dedicated TGH security officers will be stationed around the clock at each weapons screening checkpoint.
  • Patients and visitors will no longer be able to re-enter the facility at the East Pavilion entrance or the West Pavilion exit doors. All patients and visitors must be screened upon each entry. All patients and visitors will be asked to return through weapon screening if they go outside.
  • All patients and visitors wanting to visit must enter through the hospital Main Entrance, have a purpose for being at the hospital, and obtain a visitor pass to be permitted to enter.
  • Anyone with a pacemaker or is simply not comfortable with the walk-through unit can request a hand search.
  • Any person utilizing a metal personal mobility device, such as a wheelchair, walker or cane, will be hand-wanded or hand-searched, as appropriate.
  • Please remove large metal objects such as laptops, umbrellas, etc. and hold them out for Security to see. 
  • Do not remove items such as keys, wallets, phones, etc.  from your pockets or belongings.

Failure to consent to screening or inspection will result in denial of entry. Thank you for your cooperation to ensure the safety of all TGH team members, patients, visitors and volunteers.

Service Animal Entry

As defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is a dog or miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals are not covered under the ADA and therefore not permitted at TGH. See detailed hospital regulations regarding animal entry.

Complaints

If you or your loved one have been met with resistance when attempting to visit with loved ones, you may file a complaint with the Agency for further review and action.