Essential Caregivers and Visitor Guidance
Sault Area Hospital (SAH) respects and values patients’ friends and families as integral partners in providing excellent patient care. We recognize that family members and loved ones are important to the healing and overall well-being of our patients. As such, the presence of visitors continues to be a priority to support patients coming for care at SAH.
Our Compassionate Person-Centered Care philosophy differentiates between Visitors and Essential Caregivers. We recognize that Visitors, Essential Caregivers, and Support Person(s) are great resources and comfort to our patients, improving their quality of life and their experience in care.
We have put together the following Essential Caregiver-Visitor Guidance to help you understand when you can visit SAH, your responsibilities as an essential caregiver, visitor, support person and important safety tips to follow while in the hospital.
Note: Visitor is used throughout this policy and refers to the larger group of Visitors, Essential Caregivers, and Support Person(s).
- Visiting hours will be between 8:30 am – 8:30 pm daily (Exceptions may be made in consultation with the care team).
- SAH permits two (2) visitors per patient at one time (other than at the patient’s end-of-life).
- Additionally, an Essential Caregiver or Support Person may be present. One (1) child (under the age of 16 years) will be permitted when accompanied by an adult.
- Families will coordinate visits to ensure that only the allowed number of Visitors, Essential Caregivers, and Support Person(s) are present at any time. Exceptions may be made if the visitor 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).
- From time to time, further visiting restrictions may be required with little notice (such as in the case of a patient’s change in condition). We will endeavour to meet visitor needs during these times.
- Visitors (including children) who demonstrate disruptive behaviour will be limited in their ability to visit.
- Visitors’ eating and drinking in the patient rooms are not allowed.
- All visitors must consider the risk to themselves and others if visiting an outbreak unit and adhere to the personal protective equipment guidelines directed by staff.
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
- Essential Caregivers or Support Persons may attend as they are not casual visitors but rather someone chosen by the patient or their Substitute Decision Maker to assist with the daily care of the patient.
Emergency Department
- Patients attending the Emergency Department may require a support person to attend at all times. The support person is encouraged to discuss their attendance with the care team and to ensure patient safety, privacy and care are maintained.
ICU or Palliative - End of Life
- Two (2) Essential Caregivers, Support Persons or Visitors at the bedside at any given time
- There is no limit to the total number of Essential Caregivers, Support Persons or Visitors a patient may have, but only two (2) can visit at a time during visiting hours
The maximum number of persons (Essential Caregivers, Support Persons or 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:
- Triage: One (1) person until admitted to labour
- Labour: Two (2) support persons (same) during labour and delivery
- Post-partum: Two (2) visitors at a time, no children (including siblings). Visiting hours are 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, with the exception of the support people from labour.
No other visitors are allowed in the program.
All support people must adhere to the personal protective equipment guidelines directed by staff
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Paediatrics and NICU:
- Paediatrics: Two (2) parents + one (1) designated support person; two (2) individuals only at a time. Only one parent to stay overnight.
- NICU: Two (2) parents.
- Grandparents may also visit one (1) at a time with one of the parents. Two (2) individual only at a time in the NICU.
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
- Two (2) Visitor at the bedside at any given time. Additionally, an Essential Caregiver may be present.
- There is no limit to the total number of Essential Caregivers/Visitors a patient may have.
Outpatient Clinics
- Each outpatient may bring one (1) support person (Essential Caregiver or Support Person).
SAH Masking Policy for Members of the Public
Sault Area Hospital is Mask Friendly
Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask or face covering upon entering Sault Area Hospital or SAH community-based locations.
Anyone choosing to wear a mask will be provided with a hospital-approved surgical/procedural mask to wear while in the hospital. Masks will be available near all exterior entrances and nursing stations.
The mask, when worn, must cover the nose, mouth and chin.
NOTE: In response to an outbreak or increased risk to the hospital or community, the IPAC Medical Director, Chief of Staff, or Chief Nursing Officer may require patients, visitors or caregivers to wear a mask in designated areas within Sault Area Hospital (SAH) or SAH off-site facilities.
General Essential Caregivers and Visitor Information
Essential Caregivers (Support Person) at SAH
An Essential Caregiver (Support Person) is an essential individual chosen by the patient or their Substitute Decision Maker to support them during the hospital stay. The Essential Caregiver (Support Person) 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 (Support Person) may be allowed access to the hospital in periods of heightened restriction, when casual visitors may be prohibited.
All Essential Caregiver 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.
Visitors at SAH
A Visitor is a guest or family of the patient who have not been identified by the patient as the Essential Caregiver and may or may not be the Substitute Decision Maker (SDM).
Essential Caregiver (Support Person) and Visitors Expectations
- 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
- Families will need to coordinate visits to ensure only the allowed number of visitors are present at the patient’s bedside
- Must wash their hands when entering and leaving a patient’s room
Wear a mask when additional occupational health or infection prevention and control measures are in place
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.
Self-Screening
Please do not visit the hospital if you or your children have any of the following: new or worsening cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, severe headaches, unexplained muscle aches, unexplained extreme fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, or rashes.