COVID outbreak triggers visitor restrictions at Sault hospital

Sault Area Hospital is advising the public of visitor restrictions in one of its units due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Effective today (May 8), 1B Inpatient Unit has implemented visitor restrictions due to the outbreak and heightened risk of infection, the hospital said in a release.

 The hospital said it is implementing the following visiting guidelines:

• Visiting hours will be between 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily (exceptions may be made)
• Only one essential caregiver will be allowed to visit the patient at a time
• Visitors will not be allowed at this time
• All essential caregivers must adhere to the personal protective equipment guidelines directed by staff
• Anyone who demonstrates disruptive behaviour will be limited in their ability to visit

Exceptions will be made if a visitor provides support for a vulnerable patient (under the age of 18, with cognitive impairment, significant developmental and/or intellectual disability, or inability to communicate effectively) or if a patient is at the end of life, the hospital said.

The hospital explained an essential caregiver as follows:

An essential caregiver is an essential individual chosen by the patient or their substitute decision-maker to support them during the hospital stay.

The essential caregiver comes to the hospital to assist with the patient's daily care, providing comfort, social and cultural interaction, emotional and physical support, and speaking on behalf of the patient when they cannot speak.

The essential caregiver may be allowed access to the hospital in periods of heightened restriction, when casual visitors may be prohibited.

All essential caregivers must be onboarded through the SAH Essential Caregiver program before they are considered essential caregivers at SAH.

Please speak with the leadership team on your loved one’s unit to discuss whether identifying an individual, as an essential caregiver would be appropriate for the patient’s care plan.

The latest visitor information for SAH is available at SAH Visitor Guidance, the hospital noted.