Skip to main content
Update Location

My Location

Update your location to show providers, locations, and services closest to you.

Enter a zip code
Or
Select a campus/region
(904) 244-0411

Masking (Facial Covering) Policy

Directions, Maps & Parking

For patients

Patients may be required to wear a mask in the common areas of the hospital locations if the patient is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.

For visitors

Visitors may be required to wear a mask if the visitor is:

  • Exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission;
  • In any sterile area of a hospital location, including where surgeries or procedures that require aseptic techniques are performed;
  • In an in-patient or clinical room with a patient who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission; or
  • Visiting a patient (i) whose provider has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection to the patient from others without signs or symptoms of infection; and (ii) whose provider has determined that the use of a facial covering is necessary for the patient’s safety.

For employees

Employees should avoid entering the facility if they are sick. Employees who are sick should follow the Time and Attendance policy HR-02-007. Employees will be required to wear an FDA-certified medical/surgical mask or NIOSH-approved respirator if they are:

  • Conducting sterile procedures,
  • Working in a sterile area,
  • Working with 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 masks is necessary for the patient’s safety,
  • With a patient on droplet or airborne isolation, or
  • Engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require Masks to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.

Opt-out procedures

In the event that the hospital encourages or requires the use of masks at any of its locations, then visitors, patients, and employees may opt-out from wearing masks as follows:

  • Patients may opt-out from wearing a mask provided there are alternative means for infection control. Patients will be provided the same respect, level of medical care, and information as any other patient at the hospital pursuant to the patients’ bill of rights under Florida law.
  • Visitors may opt-out of any existing mask requirements by notifying an employee, and the request will be reviewed by applying the hospital’s infection control procedures to determine if an alternative method of infection control or infectious disease prevention is available.
  • Employees may opt-out of any mask requirement, unless the employee is:
    • Conducting a sterile procedure, including aseptic procedures or surgeries, that call for practices that minimize the risk of microbial contamination to reduce the rate of invasive or surgical site infection;
    • Caring for a patient or being present while sterile procedures are being performed, including aseptic procedures or surgeries;
    • Working in a sterile area of any hospital location, including where surgeries or procedures that require aseptic techniques are performed;
    • With a patient who is on droplet or airborne isolation;
    • Working (i) with a patient whose provider has diagnosed the patient with or confirmed a condition affecting the immune system in a manner which is known to increase the risk of transmission of an infection to the patient from others without signs or symptoms of infection; and (ii) whose provider has determined that the use of a mask is necessary for the patient’s safety; or
    • Engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require a mask to prevent infection, injury or harm in accordance with national, state, and industry standards, and state and federal laws, rules, requirements, and regulations.