Visiting Guidelines

Current Visitor Guidelines (as of January 21, 2021)

Emergency Department

• Emergency patients may not have visitors while in the department. Exceptions will be provided for palliative patients, critically ill, children under the age of 18 or those with cognitive impairments requiring a support person.

In-Patient Department

• Due to the recent increase in COVID cases within our province and the current state of lockdown we have made the very difficult decision to not allow visiting for our inpatients. Please know this was not an easy decision for the organization but a necessary step to protect our patients/your loved ones.

Palliative Visiting

• We are allowing visits for palliative patients. Visiting is restricted to 2 designated visitors. 

Care Partner Presence During COVID-19

1. During the pandemic, HHHS is restricting visitors to Care Partners only.
2. Care Partners include those who are essential to:
   
   1. Those with critical illness, palliative care, end of life, and medical assistance in dying;
   2. Parent or guardian of children or youth;
   3. Those for a woman in labour;
   4. Those whose presence is essential for the physical and emotional well-being of the patient;
   5. Those providing support for decision-making and designated representatives for persons with disabilities; and/or
   6. Those who are supporting the discharge process.
3. Care Partners must NOT come to the hospital if they:
   
   1. Are feeling unwell
   2. Have been out of Canada in the last 14 days
   3. Have tested positive for COVID-19 until their quarantine period is complete
   4. Have been tested for COVID-10 with results pending (surveillance testing excluded)
   5. Have had close unprotected (i.e. not using PPE) contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
   6. Reside or work within a facility currently on outbreak
4. Care Partners must:
   
   1. Be approved by the patient (at the discretion of the care team)
   2. Be 16 years or older
   3. Pre-arrange their visit by calling the nursing station at ext. 2224
   4. Pass the screening criteria upon entry to the hospital
   5. Wear a mask that covers both their mouth and nose, as well as an isolation gown, and keep them on for the duration of the visit (you may bring your own mask, or one can be provided for you)
   6. Wear other appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, etc) if the patient being visited is on isolation precautions (the charge nurse will provide education on attire and how to put it on/remove it properly)
   7. Clean their hands with hand sanitizer (provided)
   8. Wear a VISITOR or CARE PARTNER identification badge while in the hospital;
   9. Sign-in on the visitor sign-in sheet at the entrance of the department
   10. Remain in the patient’s room and not leave for any reason (smoking, errands, etc.). Care Partners will not have access to common areas, such as pantries, lounges and waiting rooms.
   11. Refrain from eating or drinking in the patient’s room while visiting. Care Partners are also asked NOT to bring in any food or drink for the patient, unless specifically requested by the care team. 
   12. Limit the personal items brought into the patient’s room to allow for daily room cleaning, and have those items approved by Infection Control in advance
   13. Not visit until the patient’s COVID-19 status is known, if applicable
   14. Not visit any patient in the COVID-19 unit
   15. Visit only the one (1) patient and maintain physical distancing
   16. Bring a clean bag if they plan on removing personal items from the patient’s room (such as laundry). Clothing can be laundered in warm soapy water.
5. Care Partners cannot use patient restrooms. Public washrooms are NOT available at this time. In the event of a restroom emergency, the Emergency Department washroom is available.
6. Patients should NOT leave the hospital to visit family or friends unless they are discharged (or during a pre-established outdoor visit)
7. If there is an outbreak in the hospital or community, guidelines for Care Partner presence may be changed.
8. If the Care Partners explicitly ignore or defy public health requirements during their time in the hospital, they will be asked to leave. This will be at the discretion of the healthcare provider and/or healthcare leader.

Please also remember that anyone who is feeling unwell – for any reason – should not visit. Only service animals are being permitted into HHHS at this time.