COVID-19 Visitor Information for St. Joseph's Hospital
Visiting St. Joseph's Hospital
Visitor restrictions may change at any time, without prior notice.
Visitor Policy for Inpatients
Each client or their Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) can identify:
- One (1) individual as an Essential Visitor who will remain constant for the duration of the client’s admission
- One (1) Other Visitor
Visiting Rules
- Essential Visitors will be asked to confirm their identity with photo identification when they arrive
- Visits can take place twice per week for a maximum of three (3) hours between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. Please indicate on the client whiteboard which two days you plan to visit in the upcoming week.
- Visits that take place outside of the client room in common spaces must be coordinated with the nursing station.
- Essential visitors travelling from outside Canada are subject to and must comply with travel restrictions (public health/provincial/federal) and have isolated for 14 days and attest to a negative COVID-19
- Essential visitors travelling from outside Northwestern Ontario are subject to a 14 day wait period before visiting
- Pets are allowed with proper paperwork completed
Visitor Policy for End-of-Life Inpatients
End-of-Life Visitors are only permitted when a client’s condition has deteriorated and is approaching end-of-life - generally within 14 days.
Each client or their Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) can identify:
- Four (4) individuals as Essential Visitors who remain constant for the duration of the client’s admission
- One (1) Other Visitor
Visiting Rules
- Only two (2) Essential Visitors can visit daily (within a 24 hour period)
- Essential Visitors will be asked to confirm their identity with photo identification when they arrive
- No time limit to visits
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to wear a surgical mask
- Pets are allowed
Visitor Policy for Outpatient Appointment Companions
Each client can have one Essential Visitor accompany them for appointments if assistance is essential for one or more of the following reasons:
- Mobility
- Cognitive
- Significant language barrier
- Age 16 or younger
- Intellectual or developmental disability
Visitor Obligations (Applies to all Visitors)
Visitors must adhere to the following measures for the safety and well-being of our clients, residents and employees.
- Upon arriving at one of our sites, participate in COVID-19 screening and be approved to proceed into the building.
- Everyone must wear a surgical mask provided by St. Joseph’s Care Group. Cloth and other personal masks are not permitted.
- Everyone must wear eye protection. An eye shield will be provided by St. Joseph's Care Group.
- Clean hands with hand sanitizer when entering or exiting our building, before and after putting on your mask and as needed throughout your visit.
- If feeling unwell, postpone visiting until feeling better.
- Stay in designated areas.
- Maintain physical distance of two metres (six feet) from all other clients, staff and visitors.
- Visitors are not permitted to visit with other clients.
Visitor Definition
Essential Visitor
The person defined by the client or substitute decision maker (SDM) to provide essential supports to the client. Essential visitors may be substituted to another individual by the client or SDM in consultation with the manager. A paid caregiver who provides direct care for support feeding, mobility, hygiene, cognitive stimulation may be considered as an essential visitor. The Essential visitor can be substituted in consultation with the program manager.
Other
One (1) additional visitor, in addition to the essential visitor(s) requested; the client may request cultural, spiritual, or religious providers to visit and/or participate in cultural, traditional, religious ceremonies and practices for client's receiving end-of-life care or episodically. This may also include emotional support from a Hospice Northwest volunteer. Clients with spinal cord injury may request support from a member of the Spinal Cord Network. Such visits will be prioritized and facilitated where possible
Additional Resources
- Televisits
- Online Self-Screening.pdf
- Visiting Clients at St. Joseph's Hospital (Questions & Answers).pdf
- Visitor Guidelines.pdf
For visitor information on Seniors' Supportive Housing or Long-Term Care Homes, please follow their respective links.
-- Updated: March 16, 2021 --
