The Regional Health Service (SESARAM) has issued a statement clarifying the recent temporary suspension of visits to patients admitted to the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital's Emergency Department. The measure was justified by clinical and operational safety reasons during a period of high occupancy.
The SESARAM statement emphasizes that the suspension strictly concerns "visits" and not "accompaniment" of patients, a right legally enshrined in Regional Legislative Decree No. 3/2016/M. This law guarantees every patient the right to be accompanied by a person of their choice, information that must be provided upon admission.
The distinction between visits and accompaniment is crucial, as visits are subject to the organization and operation of health units, while the right to accompaniment is ensured under specific circumstances, such as the patient's clinical condition, age, or other needs, coexisting with visiting hours.
