West Parry Sound Health Centre is preparing to begin a self-screening process for all persons coming into the health centre, including out-patients, essential visitors, contractors, and vendors. Starting on Monday 22 August, everyone entering will be required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and possible COVID-19 exposures. The only exception to this process will be in the health centre’s Emergency Department where active screening will continue.

The new screening process continues to make safety a priority for the health centre’s patients, essential visitors, volunteers, staff, and physicians.

Two self-screening options are being provided: an on-line link is available at www.wpshc.com, or people can self-screen upon entry and receive support from a volunteer or staff member. In-person self-screening support will be available inside the health centre’s main entry: Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To use the on-line option prior to a visit or appointment, people can go to www.wpshc.com and complete the self-screening questionnaire - a link is available at the top of the main page. Following successful completion of the screening form, a QR code will be provided. The QR code must be presented upon entry into the health centre. People can use their cellphone to photograph the QR code, or, with access to a printer, it can be printed for presentation inside health centre. After presentation of the QR code, a volunteer or visit coordinator will provide a visitor pass or out-patient sticker that will indicate to the receiving department that self-screening was successful.

When self-screening responses detect a risk of COVID-19, the QR code will not be available. In this case, patients and essential visitors are asked to contact the department/service they were planning to visit. When uncertain, people can contact the Visit Coordinator (705-938-4719) and talk with a health centre staff member or leave a message including name and a phone number to be reached at. This voicemail is checked multiple times a day. Callers to this line are asked to wait for a return call before coming to the health centre for their visit or appointment. A health centre staff member will call to ask a few additional questions to best make an appropriate plan for an appointment or visit.

All individuals entering the health centre are still required to wear a hospital-issued mask for the entirety of the visit and complete proper hand hygiene as needed while in the building. All patients and essential visitors are asked not to bring drinks and food into the health centre.

The WPSHC is continuing to limit the number of non-essential persons in the in-patient units; therefore, all in-patient visits must be booked ahead of time by calling the Visit Coordinator at 705-938-4719. A team member will provide callers with detailed instructions and expectations prior to a visit. Additional visitor limitations are in place for Day Surgery and the Emergency Department.

Important additional information about entry into WPSHC

• • All visitors must test negative on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to their visit. A visitor’s RAT result is valid for 48 hours. Vaccinated visitors who have scheduled an appointment (to visit or receive care), must go to Lakeland Long Term Care to receive a RAT. Testing at Lakeland is available Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 11:45, and 1 p.m. to 4; Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10:45, and noon to 4 p.m.
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• • Unvaccinated visitors will be coached in performing a RAT themselves by the Visit Coordinator once you have arrived for your booked visit.
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• • Essential visitors, please call the Visit Coordinator number, 705-938-4719, to book a patient visit - hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
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• • Prior to your arrival at the health centre, please complete your on-line screening and bring your QR code (either printed or photographed) to attend your booked appointment.
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• • Upon arrival, visitors will perform hand hygiene, put on a mask, present their screening QR code, and check in at the Visit Coordinator desk to receive their visitor identification badge before proceeding to the patient care areas.
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• • All visitors are responsible for following WPSHC policies and protocols and may have their visitation privileges revoked if unwilling and/or unable to do so.

Visiting hours and limitations

• • Scheduled and approved visits will be permitted for in-patients between 2 and 8 p.m. Visits outside of these times are by exception only and must be approved by the Clinical Manager or designate.
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• • Only one visitor is permitted at a time unless there is an approved exception for up to two visitors at time (in Palliative Care only).
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• • Visitors must maintain minimal occurrences of exit and re-entry to the health centre during a single day visit.

Space limitations, safe physical distancing, and all other COVID-related controls make it difficult to safely accommodate out-patients and accompanying support people. Limited access will continue for patient accompaniment.

Safety for patients, essential visitors, staff, and physicians continues to be the number one priority at West Parry Sound Health Centre as we continue manage our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitor limitations and other precautions remain in place to support infection prevention and control, and to protect the health centre’s ability to provide safe, sustainable care for the communities we are privileged to serve. We are thankful for everyone’s ongoing support and cooperation.

If you are uncertain or have questions about visiting a patient at WPSHC, please call before making a trip to the health centre. Contact: 705-938-4719. Exceptions based on compassionate grounds can be discussed with members of the health care team.

Visitor Requirements

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination status is an entry requirement and all visitors must test negative on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). For scheduled visits, visitors can go to Lakeland Long Term Care to receive an RAT - Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 11:45, and 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: 8 a.m. to 10:45, and noon to 4 p.m.

Proof of vaccination is also required for entry into the testing area at Lakeland LTC. A visitor’s RAT result is valid for 48 hours.
• Upon arrival to the health centre, visitors will perform hand hygiene, don a mask, be screened, and have their appointment confirmed prior to entry into patient care areas.
• Visitors who fail screening will be further assessed by clinical staff and will not be allowed entry if a health care risk is identified. Advice for follow-up at the Assessment Centre or Emergency Department will be provided.
• All visitors will be given a Visitor Guide that includes additional information regarding appropriate policies, expectations, and contact information.
• All visitors must wear an identifying lanyard which is returned to the screeners at completion of the visit.
• Visitors allowed special exceptions will be identified by a pink visitor ID badge.
• All visitors are responsible for following WPSHC policies and protocols and may have their visitation privileges revoked if unwilling and/or unable to do so.
• All health care team members are responsible to provide visitors with education and ongoing support regarding masking policy, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

Visiting Hours and Limitations

• Scheduled visits will be permitted for admitted patients, between 1 and 8 p.m. daily. Visits outside of these times are by exception and must be approved by the Clinical Manager or designate.
• Only one visitor at a time unless there is an approved exception for up to two visitors at a time in Palliative Care only.
• Visitors must maintain minimal occurrences of exit and re-entry to the health centre during a single day visit.

Departmental controls

Acute Care
• Each admitted patient will be allowed two visitors on list.
• Each patient may have one visit a day, for one hour, with one visitor. COVID testing required.

Palliative Care
• Family can designate up to four individuals to rotate visitation. No more than two visitors at a time.
• COVID testing is required.
• Exceptions will be made if patient is imminently palliative. A negative rapid antigen test will not be required in this situation.

Obstetrics
• One designated support person is approved. COVID testing required.

Intensive Care Unit
• Each admitted patient will be allowed two visitors on list.
• Each patient is allowed one visit per day, for one hour, with one visitor. COVID testing required
• Exceptions are at the discretion of the Clinical Manager or delegate.

Emergency Department
• No visitors except support person(s) as deemed necessary by the care team.

Surgical programs
• No visitors except support person(s) as deemed necessary by the care team.

Transitional Care and Rehab and Long-Stay Acute (greater than 30 days)
• Each patient can have up to four visitors on the designated list.
• Each patient may have up to 2 visits per day, one person at a time. COVID testing is required.

Medical Imaging - specific to obstetrical scans
• Support person based on patient’s selection is allowed to accompany patient.

Additional controls
• Visitors are not allowed for patients under a Form 1 (exceptions may be granted by the Clinical Manager or delegate, e.g., pediatric Form 1).
• Visitors are not allowed for patients requiring additional precautions (exemptions can be granted by Clinical Manager or delegate).

Alternative visitation
• Face-Time, video calls, and other connections may be facilitated through the Patient and Family Communication Program.

Attachments:

Visiting and safety precautions at WPSHC