NOTICE: NSHN Visiting Guidelines for Acute Care, Emergency Department & Outpatient Updated
Effective December 9, 2021 – changes to the North Shore Health Network Visiting Guidelines will come into effect for the Emergency Department, Acute Care Unit and Outpatient Services at all NSHN sites – Blind River, Thessalon & Richards Landing – Matthews.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT / ACUTE CARE UNIT – ALL SITES
ONLY vaccinated* Essential Caregivers will be able to enter the facility.~
NO General Visiting at this time.
Exceptions to the Essential Caregiver Requirement may be considered in the following circumstances:
· Accompanying someone under the age of 18.
· Providing support for patients in labour.
· End-of-life situations.
· Trauma / critical illness.
· Vulnerable individuals (e.g. cognitive impairment, significant development and/or intellectual disability, unable to effectively communicate, or mobility issue.)
· Children under 12 will be considered for visits on an individual basis in extenuating circumstances.
~For more information see Figure 1.1 NSHN COVID-19 Visiting Framework.
OUTPATIENT SERVICES (Laboratory / Medical Imaging / Physiotherapy) – ALL SITES
ONLY vaccinated* Essential Caregivers will be able to enter the facility.
· Support persons for Outpatients are considered Essential Caregivers and MUST be vaccinated to enter the facility. For an exception to be considered, individuals must speak with the patient’s care team.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ESSENTIAL CAREGIVERS:
· Essential Caregivers who are fully vaccinated* do not require proof of a negative COVID-19 swab to enter the facility; but must provide evidence of vaccination status upon screening.
· All visitors are required to follow infection prevention and control measures including: active screening, hand hygiene, wearing a medical mask and eye protection, and practicing physical distancing.
*Fully Vaccinated = received the full series of a vaccine or a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson); and you have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to your visit.
LONG-TERM CARE**
COVID-19 Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes (Directive #3) under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (LTCHA) issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health establishes requirements for visits to long-term care homes.
· Essential caregivers and general visitors will be asked to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the last 7 days to enter the home.**
· For more information regarding Long-Term Care Visiting, please contact 705-356-2265 ext. 2728.