Updated Visitor Guidance Effective July 26, 2021

Since COVID-19, the way family and friends support patients in hospitals has changed. We know these changes haven’t been easy for patients or providers. Knowing what to expect when you visit will help us protect our hospital community.

We’ve put together the following Visitor Guidance to help you understand when you can visit SAH, your responsibilities as a visitor, and important safety tips to follow while in the hospital.

Visitor Guidance

NO VISITORS

Exceptions may be made if the person provides support for:

  • a vulnerable patient (under the age of 18, cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, unable to effectively communicate)
  • a patient at the end of life

NO VISITORS

Exceptions may be made if the person provides support for:

  • a vulnerable patient (under the age of 18, cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, unable to effectively communicate)
  • a patient experiencing a life-altering event (end of life, critically ill, trauma)
  • 1 person per patient with 1 alternate
  • 3 days a week
    • Visiting hours: 1300 – 1800
    • Visiting hours: 2000 – 2200
    • 2 hours at a time
  • Labour: 2 people – the second person to come only once patient admitted – no visitors in Triage
  • Post-partum: 1 visitor at a time (not to include the support person) – siblings are allowed only 1 at a time and accompanied by a support person
  • Pediatrics: 1 parent for day surgery
    • 1 visitor at a time (not including parents)
    • Only 1 parent to stay overnight
  • NICU:  1 visitor at a time accompanied by a parent- including siblings over 12
  • List of 5 potential visitors
  • 1 visitor daily per patient – no time limit – can not come and go from hospital
  • Visiting hours: 1000-2000
  • List of 5 potential visitors
  • 1 visitor daily per patient- no time limit- can not come and go from hospital
  • Visiting hours: 1000-2000
  • List of 10 potential visitors
  • 2 visitors at a time – if in a private room – family will need to coordinate times and trade off
  • May visit at any time and stay overnight

Each outpatient may bring one support person if the person provides support for: 

  • a vulnerable patient (under the age of 18, cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, unable to effectively communicate)
  • a patient experiencing a life-altering event (end of life, critically ill, trauma)

Updated: Visitor Guidance

As a visitor, you play an important role in helping us provide the best care possible.
Read Our Updated Guidance
COVID-19

Expectations for Visitors:

  • Please be aware that visitors from outside of Ontario must follow all travel restrictions and public health measures when coming to Ontario. Canadian COVID-19 Travel Guidance
  • Nurse admitting patient will consult patient or POA for list and give it to UA—this will be entered in daily alerts.
  • The list of visitors will be at the desk for the visitor to sign in and the UA will mark off the visitor that visited for that day.
  • Visitors with illness symptoms will not be permitted to visit.
  • Visitors must enter through the main lobby for their scheduled visit.
  • Visitors must check in with the door screeners. In addition, all visitors must sign-in at the nursing station on the unit, in the event that contact tracing is required.
  • Visitors must follow instructions given by staff; failure to follow instructions may result in a visitor being asked to leave the hospital.
  • Visitors are reminded to maintain 2 metres or 6 feet of physical distance with the patient and others at all times.
  • Visitors and patients are not permitted to wander on the unit or leave the unit; including accessing common areas of the hospital.
  • Visitors must wear masks at all times while in hospital and must wash their hands when entering and leaving a patient’s room. Please note, visitors who are exempt from wearing a mask will no longer be permitted for in-person visits.  SAH will accommodate virtual visits in these circumstances.  These visitors are asked to contact the appropriate nursing unit to arrange these virtual visits.
  • The care team will work with patients to establish an appropriate visiting schedule for the Designated Care Support person for long-stay patients.
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Note*  Should assistance be required for making a decision regarding visitation, please consult with the department leadership team.