The Mount Saint John Medical Centre (MSJMC) has rolled out a new list of restrictions and schedules for daily operations due to the rise in covid-19 cases.
“We must take extra steps to protect our patients, staff, visitors and the community”, said the hospital in a recent release.
Approved visitors must wear a mask and stay six feet from others at all times. Visitors will not be allowed to move in and out of the patient room for the duration of their visit.
Any visitor who exhibits signs and symptoms of illness will not be granted entrance.Disruptive individuals will be asked to leave the hospital immediately.
All patients and visitors (with the exception of Emergency Dept. patients and visitors) must use the hospital’s Main Entrance on the second floor. Persons who wish to purchase food only, must access the Cafeteria using the rear Cafeteria entrances (Southern Courtyard) – and should not proceed any further into the hospital.
For those visiting adult patients, only one visitor will be allowed from 5pm-6pm at the bedside while for pediatric inpatients, only one parent or guardian will be permitted at a time from 10:30am-9pm. One parent/guardian can room-in overnight.
For Neonatal ICU (NICU) Inpatients one parent will be permitted at a time from 11am to noon.
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will not allow visitation unless the patient needs specific caregiving needs. This will be the same for the Emergency Department. One parent of a patient under the age of 18 will be allowed back into the care area with their child.
Labor & Delivery, Maternity will permit one visitor at at a time for the bedside from 11am to noon. For labor and delivery – One birth partner/coach will be allowed in the room during active labor, delivery, postpartum and recovery room.
Exceptions in visiting will be made if:
* families of patients receiving end-of-life care may contact the Nursing Office (484-2712) to find out how you can visit safely.
* Visits by anyone who is legally authorized to make decisions for the patient, or person in the role of a surrogate decision-maker as recognized by the care team for patients who lack decisional capacity.
* Support people for patients with cognitive impairment or other neurological injury (such as stroke) or for patients who have developed hospital delirium or dementia, where the consistent presence of the visitor is necessary to reduce the risk of medical or clinical harm.
* Support people for patients who require assistance because of developmental disabilities, physical disabilities or limitations, or cognitive impairment.
* Minors are allowed one visitor. One parent of a patient under the age of 18 will be allowed back into the care area with their child.
* The Department of Oncology has limited space, so visitors may stay only as an exception. Patients scheduled for these treatments (infusion therapy) should speak with the staff ahead of time to determine whether a visitor may accompany them.
Such decisions will be made on a visit-by-visit basis. Patients should not show up with a visitor if not already approved. All visits outside of the restricted times must be approved in advance.
All elective surgeries have been cancelled and only emergency surgeries will be performed. All clinics will also be suspended at MSJMC, except for the High Risk Maternity, Oncology, Pediatrics and Dialysis clinics.
Patients requiring prescription renewals are asked to visit their respective community clinics.
All tours and in-person events are cancelled until further notice while all laboratory and radiology outpatient services will continue as normal.
The restrictions will go into effect as of February 2 and will run until February 21, 2021.
