The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance is taking a careful, staged approach to relax family and caregiver presence restrictions at the four local hospital sites: Clinton Public Hospital, St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Seaforth Community Hospital, and Stratford General Hospital.
The Alliance is updating Family & Caregiver Presence Guidelines in line with advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health regarding visitors to acute care settings and the low prevalence of COVID-19 in Huron-Perth.
“At HPHA, we understand that loved ones, families and caregivers are essential to the health, well-being, and quality of life of our patients and we are committed to supporting this,” said Andrew Williams, President & CEO. “The updates to our Family and Caregiver Presence Guidelines keep public health measures in place to protect our patients and staff and will be carefully monitored.”
Effective immediately, inpatients will be permitted one visitor per day who will be allowed to visit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Presence out of these times will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Patients who are in isolation precautions will not be allowed family or caregiver presence at this time but staff will help assist these patients with virtual and telephone visits.
The family or caregiver for outpatient, surgical, and emergency department patients may be asked to wait outside or in their car, while the patient receives care and treatment to facilitate physical distancing.
Patients who are critically ill or receiving end-of-life care will be allowed support by multiple family members and/or caregivers however, only one person will be permitted at a time with the patient.
Family and caregivers will be given a mask after passing screening and must wear the mask throughout their visit, along with wearing any other personal protective equipment as required. We encourage frequent hand-washing and visiting can only take place in the patient’s room. There are times when family and caregivers should not visit their loved ones in the hospital, especially if they are not feeling well.
“To keep our patients safe, we ask that family members and caregivers not visit if they are feeling unwell, have been outside of Canada in the last 14 days, have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting test results, or if they have had close contact with a confirmed or suspect case of COVID-19,” added Williams.
Some other updates to HPHA’s Family and Caregiver Guidelines include: One family, caregiver or guardian accompanying a patient: Who is giving birth. Who is an infant or a child attending an outpatient procedure. Who is an infant or a child attending an emergency department visit. Who requires assistance to manage their condition, disability, or language barrier. To an outpatient appointment. To one of our Emergency Departments. Undergoing a surgical procedure.
Family and caregivers must be 16 years or older. Younger individuals will be considered on a case-by-case visit.
As is the current practice, all those entering HPHA hospital sites will be screened at the designated entrances which are as follows: Clinton Public Hospital – Emergency Department St. Marys Memorial Hospital – Main Entrance Seaforth Public Hospital – Main Entrance Stratford General Hospital o Main Entrances (Cambria & West Gore St. from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) o Emergency Department (for emergency care and after-hours 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
