Visiting Guidelines
Our visiting guidelines will be monitored/revised with any updates from the province or our local public health unit.
We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep all of our patients, residents, physicians, staff, and community safe and healthy.
Orders and Directives
Please note that any Orders and Directives issued under relevant laws (e.g. Health Protection and Promotion Act, and Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act) take precedent over this policy.
Visiting Guidelines
HHHS is committed to working with patients and families to provide an environment that promotes patient and family centred care (PFCC). PFCC principles include respect, information sharing, participation and collaboration.
We believe it important for patients to experience the support of family and friends during their hospital stay to help with recovery and promote patient well-being. Family is defined by the patient and can include those connected by biology, adoption, marriage or friendship.
- Visiting is based on a patient's condition, care needs, and the expressed wishes of the patient.
- Visitors will be asked to observe visiting hours between 0900 and 2100
- It is recommended that only 2 visitors are present at a time. However, the number of people welcomed at the beside at any one time will be determined in collaboration with the patient, family and inter-professional care team. Considerations will be given to safety, rest periods and physical space limitations.
- Children, under 12, are welcome when supervised by an adult.
- Visitors with their own care needs (physical or cognitive) should be accompanied by a support person for the duration of their visit.
There may be interruptions to family presence to:
- Provide care
- Perform diagnostic tests
- Protect privacy and rights of other patients
- Respect requests of other patients
- Clean patient care areas
- Ensure safety and security
Visitors will be required to observe infection prevention and control (IPAC) procedures:
- Perform hand hygiene when entering and leaving the building and patient room
- Visitors who are feeling unwell and experiencing any of the following should postpone their visit until symptoms have resolved:
- Fever
- New or worsening cough and/or shortness of breath
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- If an outbreak of infection requires restrictions based on public health recommendations, the team will collaborate with patients and families to support and enable family presence.
- Look for signage around the patient space and follow any additional precautions listed. Please speak with staff if you have questions.
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided
HHHS is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for everyone. If a visitor’s behavior is disruptive, they will respectfully be asked to leave. If necessary, a security presence may be requested, and in extreme cases, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be notified to ensure the safety of all patients, other visitors, and the HHHS care team.
Please check out the below Acute Care Welcome Package to learn more!
