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Hospital Visiting Policy

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Caregivers

Introduction

At Lennox and Addington County General Hospital (LACGH), it is critical that we keep patients, staff and the hospital environment safe. We must all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are taking additional precautions to keep patients, families, and staff safe including ongoing changes to our Visitor Policy. 

We recognize the importance of family and or caregiver support when patients are in hospital and will make every effort to ensure that the needs of patients and families are met while these temporary measures are in place, including the use of virtual technology to support connecting patients to their loved ones whenever possible

Policy

This policy does not apply to Long Term Care (LTC), refer to the specific LTC visitation policy

Each patient may register up to two, fully vaccinated visitors with the care team. Visitors are not permitted to eat and drink while visiting the facility and are not permitted to visit the cafeteria.  Visitors are also required to screen negative, wash their hand and apply a hospital issued mask before entering the hospital.

Visitors may be asked to limit their time, or may be asked to leave and return at a later time to reduce crowding concerns.

Inpatients may not have visitors until their quarantine period is cleared. Virtual and telephone visits are encouraged at any time. COVID-19 positive patients are not permitted visitors unless the patient is actively dying.

Inpatient exceptions

  • Inpatients who are imminently dying or receiving MAID are permitted to have visitors regardless of visitor’s vaccine status. Appropriate PPE should be provided for visitors.

Outpatient exceptions

  • Patients are encouraged to attend ambulatory appointments and ED alone.

Virtual Visiting and Staying Connected

Virtual care connection will be offered to all patients as a method of communicating with families. 

Virtual visits will be encouraged using either the patients’ own technology device or via a tablet provided by the hospital. (Care team staff: please refer to the IT department for these patients who are identified to have this need).

Patients can connect to the free LAC Public Wi-Fi and use video apps such as FaceTime, Messenger and Zoom without using up their data plan. If a patient does not have a device, we are happy to arrange a Virtual Visit (video chat). These can be facilitated by either requesting a Virtual Visit appointment via email: VirtualVisits@lacgh.napanee.on.ca  or speaking with the care team staff.