Visiting Guidelines During COVID-19

At this time, ONLY essential care partner/support person may be permitted based on discussion with the clinical care team.

Current Orange/Restrict Tier Visiting GuidelinesIf a visitor is permitted at the discretion of the Director, the following guidelines apply:

Infection control measuresControl Measures:

• All permitted visitors will be screened at the Main Entrance using the most current screening tool for visitors.
• Visitors who fail screening will NOT be permitted to visit; exception exceptions for the Emergency Department (ED) and Diagnostic Imaging (DI).
• Visitors that answer “NO” to all screening questions but have a COVID swab pending completed for their employment or , to visit a nursing or retirement home , will be permitted.
• Visitors will be provided with a mask, asked to perform hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres meters (6 feet).
• Visitors must wear a mask at all times and refrain from eating or drinking during their visit with the patient; Visitors must consume their own food or beverage in the cafeteria – exceptions on case by case basis at discretion of Director.
• Visitors may only bring in food/beverages for the patient they are visiting; food may not be dropped off at the Main Entrance for patients.
• If a visitor is unable to wear a mask or a face shield, they will be permitted an outdoor visit with the patient at the front of the hospital.
• Visitors must remain in the patient room during the visit. Visitors ARE permitted to go to the Gift Shop and Tim Hortons prior to or following a patient visit.

Visitors for L500, M200, M300, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2500 and the Critical Care Unit

, CCU and MCWH (NOT including labour and delivery or postpartum patients):

• General visiting has been suspended as part of the measures to control transmission.
• Spiritual Care for patients are not counted as a visitor, and are permitted at any time and must pass screening.
• Visitors under the age of 16 are not permitted except on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director; permitted visitors under 16 are to be accompanied by an adult.
• Length of the visit during designated hours will be at the discretion of the nursing unit.
• Specialty areas (i.e Palliative) will continue with current departmental visitor guidelines.

Visitors for Surgical Patients

MCWH – Labour & Delivery and Post-Partum Patients

• Partner/support person for moms in labour must wait outside the hospital until notified by MCWH that they are permitted to enter; Partner/support person must pass screening.
• Partner/support person will be given a blue wristband that will permit them in and out privileges from the hospital; no other visitors for MCWH are permitted. Partners are to limit contact with others when outside the organization. Upon re-entry, the partner/support person is to show screeners the blue wristband and must be re-screened – the partner/support person must pass screening for re-entry.
• Confirmed positive COVID-19 patients will have exceptions and restrictions reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Director, Charge Nurse or delegate.
• If a patient is admitted before COVID Asymptomatic Screen test results are available, the patient and support person (providing they pass entrance screening) will be placed in isolation until COVID-19 test has resulted as negative. During the test-pending period, both the patient and support person/partner are to remain in the patients room and must perform hand hygiene and wear a mask if leaving the room.

Surgical Areas

• Patients requiring assistance (i.e. interpreter) or under the age of 12 will be permitted to have the visitorcare partner/parent/guardian in Daycare; exceptions made on a case-by-case basis at discretion of Director, or delegate.
• Once the patient leaves for the OR, the visitorcare partner/parent/guardian will provide contact information and leave the surgical area – they may wait in the cafeteria or outside the building and will be called when they can return to Daycare to assist with patient discharge.

Visitors in the Emergency Department

• Patients will be permitted one care partner/visitor while waiting to be triaged.
• After the assessment, the triage nurse/charge nurse will determine if the care partner/visitor meets criteria to remain with the patient (i.e. if they are required for care decisions)

Visitors for Maternal Child/Women's Health

• Partner/support person for moms in labour must wait outside the hospital until notified by MCWH that they are permitted to enter; Partner/support person must pass screening.
• Partner/support person will be given a blue wristband that will permit them in and out privileges from the hospital; no other visitors for MCWH are permitted.
• Upon re-entry, the partner/support person is to show screeners the blue wristband and must be re-screened – the partner/support person must pass screening for re-entry.

Visitors for L500

• Visiting hours will be 2:30pm-3:30pm and 7:00pm-8:00pm.
• Patients may have two designated visitors but only one visitor per day.
• List of expected visitors will be provided to the screeners daily.

Visitors for Outpatient Services

•  Visitors Visitors for outpatient appointments will be determined on case-by-case basis by the outpatient service; outpatient services are required to provide the appointment date, name of visitor and the patient they are accompanying to the screener for entry.
•  Visitors Visitors for Diagnostic Imaging and Outpatient Clinic will be determined by the screeners at the time of screening and will be permitted entry if the patient requires assistance to answer questions, fill out forms, mobility and/or changing clothes.

Related Documents: Our Family Presence Guidelines align with Ontario's COVID-19 response framework.