Updated: September 9, 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 no longer required to wear a mask when receiving direct care or when on their home unit, unless they are on additional precautions. Please note, patients/clients must continue to wear a mask when leaving the unit.
- Effective September 12, providing proof of vaccination is no longer required. Registered visitors can include unvaccinated individuals.
- 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.
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.
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 pass screening.
- All visitors must wear a mask for the duration of their visit, including in patient/client rooms.
- Visitors are not permitted to eat or drink with their loved ones or while in a patient/client’s room.
Reduced visiting
Patients/clients may have three individuals registered as visitors, and can have a maximum of three (3) people visit at the same time. This can include a combination of Designated Visitors and Designated Care Partners. Exceptions may be made for approved visitors who are minors requiring accompaniment or in extenuating circumstances approved by your care team.
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- Patients/clients who are critically ill or nearing end-of-life may choose up to 10 Essential Visitors. The number of individuals who can visit at a time is three (3) people.
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.
Patients/clients are no longer required to wear a mask when receiving direct care or when on their home unit, unless they are on additional precautions. Please note, patients/clients must continue to wear a mask when leaving the unit.
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.
COVID-19 vaccination
Effective September 12, 2022, visitors no longer need to provide proof of vaccination upon entry.
Monitoring for COVID-19 & other Illnesses
All inpatients at Providence Care Hospital will be monitored daily for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
It is important to let your care team know if you develop any new or worsening symptoms.
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 (for discharge planning and special circumstances in coordination with your care team), 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’.
