Hospitals loosen visitor restrictions

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) has expanded limited visitation for inpatients as pandemic-related restrictions loosen across Ontario.

Effective Monday, July 26, eligible inpatients may receive two (2) visitors each day during set visiting hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while adhering to strict visiting requirements. Visiting may commence after the inpatient has received a negative COVID-19 swab result, if it has been required on admission.

Visitation must follow MAHC’s requirements to reduce risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All visitors must:

· Screen negative for COVID-19 at the hospital entrance

· Provide a phone number for contact tracing, if it is necessary

· Go directly to the inpatient’s room and refrain from travelling around other parts of the hospital

· Wear their hospital-issued ‘visitor’ sticker at all times

· Wear a hospital-issued mask for the entire visit except to eat or drink

· Wear additional protective equipment, if necessary

· Ensure the patient wears a mask while their visitors are present

· Clean their hands often to reduce the risk of infection

· Maintain two metres (six feet) distance from others at all times

· Maintain minimal occurrences of exit and re-entry to the hospital during a single day visit

Additionally, for everyone’s safety, outdoor visiting with a patient on hospital grounds must be approved in advance. Exceptions for visiting are considered for critically ill or palliative patients.

“We are cautiously expanding visitation to offer our inpatients a better hospital experience with in-person visiting with their loved ones while still maintaining their safety,” says President & CEO Natalie Bubela. “Because open visitation has not resumed, we regret that visitors are currently not permitted for outpatients except for special circumstances where a support person is necessary.”

As the pandemic continues, should the community level of COVID-19 risk increase or MAHC’s personal protective equipment supplies become strained, visitor restrictions may be initiated once again.