Visiting Hours & Guidelines

Due to active cases of RSV in both the hospital and community, the following visiting policy will be in effect beginning December 2, 2024:

PEDIATRIC UNIT

  • Visiting hours are 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. ONE caregiver may stay overnight
  • Only 2 visitors per family are allowed in at any one time(including parents)
  • ALL visitors must be over the age of 16, this includes siblings at this time
  • Any visitor showing signs of illness will not be able to visit the Pediatric Unit until they are feeling better. Report any signs of cough, fever, chills sore throat, etc. to the staff before entering the Unit

NICU UNIT

  • Parents are welcome 24 hours except during shift change 6:45 - 7:45 am/pm
  • All other visitors are welcome to visit from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm when a parent is present at the bedside
  • Only 2 visitors per family are allowed in at any one time(including parents)
  • ALL visitors must be over the age of 16, this includes siblings at this time
  • Any visitor showing signs of illness will not be able to visit in the NICU until they are feeling better. Report any signs of cough, fever, chills sore throat, etc. to the staff before entering the Unit
  • Please be advised that strict screening will be in effect to ensure we are protecting the infants in the NICU

Visitation is permitted 24 hours/day for primary caregivers of patients in Palliative Care, Critical Care, and the Emergency Department.

Exceptions to these hours can be made for visiting depending on the department and the patient's condition.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

  • Mental Health - 2 essential caregivers with 1 essential caregiver per patient for 30 minutes at a time between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm daily (including weekends and holidays).
  • In Centre Dialysis Outpatients - 1 essential Caregiver between the following hours 8:30-10:00 am, 1:30-3:00 pm, 7:00- 8:30 pm. No children under the age of 16 years are allowed in the treatment area unless by exception.
  • Multi-Care Kidney Clinic - For scheduled appointments with a provider, 2 essential caregivers may accompany the patient, children under the age of 16 years are allowed.
  • Cancer Program - Outpatient Treatment Appointments (Systemic Suite and Radiation): 1 Essential Caregiver. No children under the age of 16 will be permitted in the Systemic Suite unless by exception. Ambulatory Care Clinic Appointments: For scheduled appointments with a provider, 2 Essential Caregivers may accompany the patient.
  • Critical Care - 2 Essential Caregivers allowed 24/7
  • Emergency Department - 2 Essential Caregivers per patient allowed 24/7 but may not enter until the patient has been brought in from the waiting room or from EMS offload unless the patient requires support due to cognitive, mobility, or other disability or is pediatric- in this event, 1 Essential Caregiver may accompany in the ED waiting room. The department will contact when Essential Caregivers can enter.
  • Lab & Diagnostic Imaging Services - 1 Essential Caregiver may accompany the patient.
  • Labour & Delivery (FBC)- Women in labour are allowed 2 Essential Caregivers at a time. The Essential Caregivers may rotate with visitors in the waiting room. No children under the age of 14 will be allowed in the labour room. After delivery the general hospital visiting policy applies; siblings are allowed with parent/guardian accompaniment only.
  • OB Triage, Maternal Newborn Clinic & Women’s Health Clinic -1 Essential Caregiver may accompany the patient.
  • Surgical Program - 2 Essential Caregivers may accompany the patient. Staff will advise essential caregivers where to wait while the patient is in the Operating Room or Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU).

RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITS:

  • Each patient is allowed no more than 2 visitors at one time including children. 
  • Children must be supervised by a visiting adult. 
  • Due to the higher-risk environment, the hospital does not encourage visits from children under 14 years of age. 
  • Recognizing the support that siblings can play, two children can accompany one adult caregiver in the postpartum department after a Mom has delivered her baby or babies.
  • Anyone experiencing fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, skin rash, vomiting or diarrhea should avoid visiting with patients in the hospital.
  • In the event of infection control outbreaks, further restrictions may apply.

MASKING

Masking in all areas is based on the following:

  • Point of care risk assessment (e.g. patient coughing)
  • Additional Precautions (please look for signage on patient doorways prior to visiting a patient to determine if a mask and eye protection are required)
  • Procedural (based on the type of procedure being performed)
  • Masking is highly recommended for patients and visitors in the Emergency Department (due to high volumes and the possibility of infectious patients present).

In any area of the hospital that may face a respiratory outbreak, universal masking may be recommended depending on the specific outbreak situation. 

Please note that we continue to support those individuals who still choose to wear a mask at any time. All individuals who put on a mask should use a hospital-issued mask. Masks will be provided at hospital entrances.

 

VISITOR GUIDELINES:

Family members are an important part of the patient's care team during the healing process. The guidelines and information are intended to make your visit more comfortable and safe for you and our patients.

  • Keep visits short - preferably 15 minutes at a time or less so patients can rest.
  • Keep noise levels to a minimum and be mindful of other patients in the same room and unit who need rest, and staff who are caring for all patients.
  • Floral arrangements or fruit baskets may not be appropriate for certain patients. Have the designated essential caregiver check with the nurse before bringing these items to the hospital.
  • Mylar balloons only - latex balloons cause severe allergies in some people and are not allowed in the hospital.
  • If you visit when the physician or other health care professionals are with the patient, at certain times you may be asked to leave the room while they are providing patient care.
  • Any perishable food items brought in by essential caregivers must be removed at the end of the visit (unless the patient room has a refrigerator, i.e. oncology). Nursing units are not equipped to properly store, protect from contamination, and reheat food to the appropriate temperatures.

REQUESTS FOR EXCEPTIONS TO THE VISITOR POLICY

  • If a family member wishes to seek an exception to the above visitation policy, they should discuss it with the health care team.
  • For any concerns with the visitation policy or if support is required with the exception to the process please contact Patient Relations:
    • Ouellette Campus: Phone: 519-254-5577 Ext. 34404
    • Met Campus: Phone: 519-254-5577 Ext. 52317
    • After Hours: Phone: 519-254-5577 dial zero for the switchboard and ask for the After Hours Manager
    • The family member will be contacted once the review process is complete with an answer.
  • Visitors who are not family members or friends are asked to refrain from visiting. However, you can show support to a patient in other ways - which includes sending an e-Greeting. This is a free service that allows you to send a message to a patient and a volunteer will deliver it on your behalf.

OTHER WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED WITH PATIENTS

  • WRH's Guest Wi-Fi is available for patients to allow video calls to family and friends. The Guest network can be found through your wireless settings and is free of charge.
  • Call your loved one in their room through the switchboard at 519-254-5577.
  • Patients can bring their own devices when possible to stay connected to loved ones through FaceTime, Skype, etc.
  • When patients do not have access to their own personal devices, assistance may be provided to access technology and assist with virtual visitation. Please ask your nurse for assistance.