Providence Care Hospital

Updated: May 27, 2022

COVID-19 safety measures

The following safety measures are in place:

• Anyone entering the hospital must pass screening to enter. Individuals will be screened every time they enter the building, no matter what. See screening questions below.
• Visitors must sign in at the screening desk and provide their name, time of visit and a contact number.
• Use of face masks. Visitors will be given a hospital-grade face mask which must be worn for the duration of the visit. This includes inside patient/client rooms. Click here for more information about the proper use of face masks.
• Patients/clients are required to wear a face mask when leaving the unit and/or when receiving care. If there is a medical reason why a patient/client cannot wear one, the care team will discuss other options.
• Maintain physical distancing. All visitors must practice physical distancing, this includes during screening and while using elevators.
• Practice hand hygiene. All visitors are encouraged to perform hand hygiene every time they enter/exit the hospital and enter/exit your loved one’s unit and room.

Approved visitors

Designated visitors are individuals, including family and friends, chosen by the patient/client who visit for social purposes. 

More details here: Guidelines for designated visitors

Designated care partners are individuals deemed necessary by the patient/client and clinical staff, and are part of the care plan. They provide support, including physical and emotional.

Visits are planned around the patient/client’s needs and are documented on the care plan. Designated care partners are granted 24 hour access and but must pass screening. 

Two designated care partners are permitted to visit a patient/client at the same time. Exceptions may be made by the care team for extenuating circumstances and minors who require accompaniment. 

More details here: Guidelines for designated care partners

Essential Visitors are individuals who have a loved one who is critically ill or nearing end-of life.

They are granted 24 hour access and may enter as long as they not symptomatic, and aren’t subject to a federal quarantine due to travel.

Two essential visitors are permitted to visit a patient/client at the same time. Exceptions may be made by the care team for extenuating circumstances and minors who require accompaniment. 

More details here: Guidelines for essential visitors

General visitors are not permitted at this time.

All visitors are asked to complete the following pledge form.

To ensure the safety of everyone who enters our hospital, the following safety measures are in place:

• All visitors must show proof of vaccination.
• All visitors must pass screening.
• All visitors must wear a mask for the duration of their visit, including in patient/client rooms.
• All visitors must stay indoors with their loved ones during visits. They are not permitted to leave the building with a patient/client.
• Visitors are not permitted to eat or drink with their loved ones or while in a patient/client’s room.

Reduced visiting

A maximum of two registered visitors are permitted to visit a patient or client at the same time. This can be a combination of designated visitors and/or designated care partners.

Patients and clients who are critically ill or nearing end-of-life may choose up to eight essential visitors, but only two may visit at a time. Exceptions may be made by the care team for extenuating circumstances and minors who require accompaniment. Please note minors must be approved visitors.  

Masks

Masks must be worn before entering the hospital. 

Outpatients, all visitors and designated care partners are not permitted to wear fabric masks beyond the screening desk. If you arrive wearing a fabric mask, you will be given a procedure mask. Masks must be worn for the duration of the visit.

Individuals visiting a patient/client on additional precautions will be provided a contact/droplet mask to wear on the unit. Designated care partners who provide direct patient/client care must also wear a contact/droplet mask to wear.

Masks must be worn for the duration of your visit. This includes when you are inside your loved one’s room.

Outpatients and visitors must wear a face mask while in the hospital. If outpatients/visitors do not have their own, they will be provided one.

All patients/clients must wear a face mask during the provision of care, including in their rooms. They must also wear a mask anytime they leave their rooms.

Screening

All visitors, designated care partners, outpatients, and volunteers must answer the following questions before they are allowed to enter the hospital:

• Do you have any of the following symptoms:
  • fever (temperature of ≥ 37.8oC)
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath
  • chills
  • changes in your sense of taste/smell
  • runny nose, sneezing or nasal congestion (not due to other underlying reasons like seasonal allergies or post-nasal drip)
  • difficulty swallowing
  • unexplained fatigue/malaise
  • nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea 
• Have you been tested for COVID-19 due to symptoms and are awaiting results? (asymptomatic/surveillance testing does not apply and is not a reason for exclusion) 
• Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
• In the last 10 days, have you:
  • had contact* with a suspected** or confirmed case of COVID-19?
  • lived/worked in a facility in outbreak?
• Are you on federal quarantine due to travel?

*Contact: been advised by public health or your employer you have had contact with a
confirmed case, provided care, had similar close physical contact, or had lived with or otherwise had close, contact without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gown, gloves, mask and eye protection, with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.
**Asymptomatic or surveillance testing in one of your contacts does not apply.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination

All registered visitors must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses + 14 days) and photo ID at the screening desk to enter.  

There may be instances where an individual who is not fully vaccinated is permitted to enter the hospital, including: 

• Individuals visiting a patient or client who is critically ill or nearing end-of-life.
• Individuals under the age of 12.
• Individuals with proof of a documented medical exemption.

Individuals who are essential to participate in care planning discussions or other critical circumstances, as identified by the care team, may be permitted to enter the hospital if those discussions cannot take place over the phone or virtually.

In that situation, the individual must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test done in the last 72 hours or agree to a self-administered rapid antigen test at screening (children under five are exempt). Individuals must wait the 15 minutes for the test to process and get a negative test result.

New admission COVID-19 testing/quarantine period

All new admissions are swabbed for COVID-19. Patients/clients admitted from the community will be tested upon arrival. Patients/clients admitted from another healthcare facility will be tested within 48 hours prior to being transferred to our hospital.

All patients/clients, regardless of vaccination status, will be placed under a quarantine period which could last up to eight days (some exceptions apply). The quarantine period allows staff to closely monitor patients/clients for any COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and help prevent the spread of the virus.

It is important to let your care team know if you develop any new or worsening symptoms.

During the quarantine period movement outside of your room will be limited and only designated care partners and essential visitors are permitted. Designated visitors are permitted once the quarantine period is over.

If you have any questions about your quarantine period please speak with a member of your care team.

Outdoor access

Patients and clients are permitted to leave the building to access outdoor hospital spaces.

The following safety measures and recommendations are in place for patients and clients who plan to leave the building:

• Use hand sanitize when leaving/re-entering units and exiting/re-entering the hospital.
• Stay on hospital grounds unless you have an approved day pass, leave of absence or are attending a medical appointment.
• Limit the number of people you come into close contact with and wear a mask if physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Re-enter through the main entrance and participate in screening before you’re allowed to go back onto your unit.

Outpatient clinics/appointments

Outpatient and clinic appointments are being reviewed on patient/client need. As part of our enhanced safety measures, all outpatients will be pre-screened before their appointment and again on the day of. 

On the day of your appointment, please bring the following:

• A list of all medications you are currently taking.
• Any mobility aids, including canes or walkers.
• Comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Your health card.
• A mask.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment in case there are any delays at the screening desk.

Connecting with your loved one

There are many ways for families to connect with loved ones at the hospital, including phone calls, FaceTime and Skype.

To help arrange a FaceTime or Skype visit please email Janet Hunter, Volunteer Services Director, at hunterj1@providencecare.ca.

You can also email patients/clients at emailapchpatient@providencecare.ca.

Please note: there is complimentary WiFi available throughout the hospital. Patients/clients, visitors and volunteers can connect to WiFi by selecting ‘PC_GUEST_WIFI’ in their network settings. Please note you must read the acceptable use policy and click ‘accept’.