Providence Care Hospital has paused all designated visits during the provincial shutdown. During this time, only essential visitors and designated care partners are permitted to enter the hospital.
Update to Masking Protocols at PCH
Effective Jan. 18, everyone must wear a mask before entering PCH.
Previously, people could proceed to the Screening Desk where they would obtain a mask without having one on. Beginning today, everyone must don a mask before entering the double doors.
Additionally, outpatients, essential 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.
Those who are visiting a patient on contact/droplet precautions will also be provided a contact/droplet mask on the unit. Designated care partners who provide direct patient will be given a contact/droplet mask to wear.
Patients and clients are allowed up to two designated visitors. Patients and clients can have two visits per week (one visit from two different designated visitors or two visits from the same designated visitor). Visits can take place from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a maximum of 10 visitors allowed per inpatient unit per day.
- Do not come to Providence Care Hospital before 1:30 p.m. Visitors who arrive before 1:30 p.m. will be asked to wait outside to prevent congestion in the Main Entrance.
- All outpatients and visitors will be screened at the Main Entrance. Only those who pass screening will be allowed to enter the hospital. Click here for more information about screening.
- Visitors are must sign in at the screening desk and provide their name, the time of their visit and a contact number.
- Use of masks/face coverings. Outpatients and visitors are asked to bring a mask/face covering to wear while at the hospital. If you don’t have a face covering of your own, the hospital will provide a mask for your use. Masks/face coverings must be worn for the duration of your visit. Click here for more information about the proper use of masks/face coverings.
- Inpatients are required to wear a mask/face covering when outside their unit. 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 while at Providence Care Hospital. This includes when you are in line to be screened and when using the elevators.
- Visits can take place in a patient/client’s room, on the on-unit courtyard or off the unit but not outside the hospital at this time.
- Do not visit other areas of the hospital such as the cafeteria or the café.
- Practice hand hygiene. Perform hand hygiene every time you enter/exit the hospital, enter/exit your loved one’s inpatient unit and enter/exit your loved one’s room.
For information on how to schedule a visit with your loved one, click here.
Day passes for exceptional circumstances/compassionate leave
Patients and clients who wish to leave the hospital for an exceptional circumstance or compassionate leave (e.g. funeral, birthday, etc.) may submit a request to the manager of his/her unit. The manager will review the request with the care team to determine whether or not the request is approved.
If the event is approved, the manager will connect with our Infection Prevention and Control team to determine whether a 14-day quarantine period is required upon return to the hospital, which is dependent on the level of perceived risk of the event.
All patients and clients leaving the hospital on a day pass will be provided education on physical distancing, hand hygiene and proper use of masks/face coverings.
Outpatient clinics/appointments
During the COVID-19 pandemic outpatient and clinic appointments are being reviewed on patient/client need. As part of our enhanced safety measures, all outpatients are being pre-screened before their appointment and are screened again on the day of their appointment.
On the day of your appointment, please bring the following:
- A list of all medications you are currently taking
- Any mobility aids (e.g. cane, walker)
- Comfortable clothing and shoes
- Health card
- Mask/face covering
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your appointment in case there are any delays or lines to enter.
