ALL ESSENTIAL CAREGIVERS AND VISITORS SHOULD BE VACCINATED
Essential Caregivers and Visitor Guidance
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 Essential Caregiver – Visitor Guidance to help you understand when you can visit SAH, your responsibilities as a essential caregiver – visitor, and important safety tips to follow while in the hospital.
- Visiting hours will be between 6 am – 10 pm daily (limited visiting hours from 10 pm – 6 am)
- There will be no visitors allowed on outbreak units
- All visitors must adhere to the personal protective equipment guidelines directed by staff
- Families will need to coordinate visits to ensure only the allowed number of visitors are present at the patient’s bedside
- GUIDANCE FOR OUTPATIENT CLINICS, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND DAY SURGERY VISITS: Space in our waiting rooms is prioritized for patients. If space permits, we will support the presence of Essential Caregivers/Visitors in the waiting room. Essential Caregivers/Visitors may be asked to wait outside if the waiting room reaches maximum capacity.
COVID-19 Suspect or COVID-19 Confirmed Patients [No Visitors]
NO VISITORS
Exceptions may be made if the person provides support for the following:
- 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
Emergency Department [No Visitors]
NO VISITORS
Exceptions may be made if the person provides support for the following:
- 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
ICU or Palliative - End of Life
- Two (2) Essential Caregivers/Visitors at the bedside at any given time
- There is no limit to the total number of Essential Caregivers/Visitors a patient may have, but only two (2) can visit at a time during visiting hours
The maximum number of persons (Essential Caregivers/Visitors) per individual at one time is based on room space; exceptions can be made; please contact your loved one’s care team to discuss your family’s needs.
Women & Children's Health Program
Labour & Delivery:
All support persons for outpatients and patients in labour must be fully vaccinated.
- Two (2) support person during labour and delivery
- Post-partum: one (1) person
No other visitors allowed in the program.
Labour and Delivery: For patients with unvaccinated partners, all attempts should be made for an alternative support person who is vaccinated. If there is an extenuating circumstance and there is no alternative fully vaccinated support person available, an exception may be made at the time of admission.
All support people must adhere to the personal protective equipment guidelines directed by staff
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Pediatrics and NICU:
- Two (2) parents at a time (Only one parent to stay overnight)
No other visitors are allowed in the program
All support people must adhere to the personal protective equipment guidelines directed by staff.
General Medicine, Surgical Departments, Post Acute, Mental Health, Long-term Palliative (unable to go home)
- One (1) Essential Caregiver/Visitor at the bedside at any given time
- There is no limit to the total number of Essential Caregivers/Visitors a patient may have, but only one (1) can visit at a time during visiting hours
Outpatient Clinics
- Each outpatient may bring one (1) support person (Essential Caregiver/Visitor).
Essential Caregivers at SAH
An Essential Caregiver is an essential individual chosen by the patient or their Substitute Decision Maker to support them during the hospital stay. The Essential Caregiver comes to the hospital to assist with daily care of the patient providing comfort, social and cultural interaction, emotional and physical support, as well as speaking on behalf of the patient when they cannot speak.
The Essential Caregiver may be allowed access to the hospital in periods of heightened restriction, when casual visitors may be prohibited.
All Essential Caregivers must be on-boarded through the SAH Essential Caregiver program before they are considered an Essential Caregiver at SAH. Please, speak with the Leadership Team on your loved one’s unit to discuss if identifying an individual as an Essential Caregiver would be appropriate as part of the patient’s care plan.
Essential Caregivers and Visitors Expectations
Should be fully vaccinated (14-days post-second dose)
- Be without illness symptoms; individuals with symptoms will not be permitted to visit
- Follow instructions given by staff; failure to follow instructions may result in a visitor being asked to leave the hospital
- Maintain 2 metres or 6 feet of physical distance with the patient and others at all times
- No wandering on the unit or leaving the unit, including accessing common areas of the hospital
- Families will need to coordinate visits to ensure only the allowed number of visitors are present at the patient’s bedside
- Wear masks at all times while in the hospital and must wash their hands when entering and leaving a patient’s room
- Please note that visitors who are exempt from wearing a mask will not be permitted for in-person visits. SAH will accommodate virtual visits in these circumstances. These visitors are asked to contact the appropriate department/area to arrange these virtual visits.
- Please note that visitors who are exempt from wearing a mask will not be permitted for in-person visits. SAH will accommodate virtual visits in these circumstances. These visitors are asked to contact the appropriate department/area to arrange these virtual visits.
NOTE: The list of reasons for support for a vulnerable patient (e.g. cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, unable to effectively communicate, mobility issues) is not an exhaustive list; considerations beyond this list should be discussed with the Care Team.
All those coming to SAH are required to wear a mask as an added step to reduce the spread of germs and protect vulnerable patients. Handmade masks are NOT acceptable.
When you arrive at the hospital a hospital-approved mask will be provided to you and you will be expected to wear it during your time at SAH to keep yourself, other patients and our staff, physicians, and volunteers safe. Patients going for a procedure where they must remove the mask will be asked to keep it ready to be put back on once the procedure is completed.