Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Health care
practitioners and health care providers may choose to require a patient to wear
a facial covering only when the patient is in a common area of the health care
setting and is exhibiting signs or symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious
disease that can be spread through droplet or airborne transmission.
(2) Health care practitioners and health care
providers may choose to require a visitor to wear a facial covering only when
the visitor is:
(a) Exhibiting signs or
symptoms of or has a diagnosed infectious disease that can be spread through
droplet or airborne transmission,
(b) In sterile areas of the health care
setting or an area where sterile procedures are being performed,
(c) 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
(d) 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 visitors without signs or symptoms of
infection to a patient and whose treating health care practitioner has
determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for the patient's
safety.
(3) Opt-Out
Requirements are as follows:
(a) Pursuant to
64DER23-6(1), health care practitioners and health care providers who choose to
require a facial covering for any patient must include in the policy a
provision for the opting-out of wearing a facial covering. Such policy must be
in accordance with the Florida Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities,
section 381.026, F.S.
(b) Pursuant to 64DER23-6(2), health care
practitioners and health care providers who choose to require a facial covering
for any visitor must include in the policy a provision for the opting-out of
wearing a facial covering if an alternative method of infection control or
infectious disease prevention is available.
(4) Health care practitioners and health care
providers must allow an employee to opt out of facial covering requirements
unless an employee is:
(a) Conducting sterile
procedures,
(b) Working in a
sterile area,
(c) 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 health care
practitioner has determined that the use of facial coverings is necessary for
the patient's safety,
(d) With a
patient on droplet or airborne isolation, or
(e) Engaging in non-clinical potentially
hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury
or harm in accordance with industry standards.
Rulemaking Authority 408.824 FS. Law Implemented 408.824
FS.
