News release - from Stevenson Memorial Hospital
Effective Monday, April 11, 2022, Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) will be adjusting its visitor policy as a result of the increase of COVID-19 transmission in the community and will move to Phase 2B of its visitor policy. The policy states:
INPATIENTS: Inpatients are permitted one visitor per day between the hours of 12-8 p.m. Extenuating circumstances will be managed on a case-by-case basis. (Only one individual can be a designated visitor – alternate visitors are not permitted).
SURGICAL PATIENTS: One designated support person is permitted post-procedure to support the patient upon discharge.
OBSTETRICAL PATIENTS: Patients in labour and delivery are permitted one support person. No switching support individuals, same person for duration of visit.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT and OUTPATIENT: One visitor/designated support is permitted unless there are extenuating circumstances. These include:
- An ill newborn, youth or child (18 years old and under)
- Palliative patient
Families of patients eligible for visitation will be contacted by our Patient Experience Department.
All visitors/supports must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination along with personal ID and are required to pass COVID-19 screening before visiting a patient. Only extenuating circumstances will be permitted without full vaccination status. Visitors continue to be required to wear medical-grade masks (no cloth masks) upon entry to the hospital, which will be provided. Visitors must wash their hands before entering and after leaving a patient’s room.
“As we have now entered Wave 6 of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be cautious with the growing number of cases we are seeing daily,” says Jody Levac, President and CEO, SMH. “We know how important visitors are to a patient’s care journey and we will continue to allow visitors in a safe way. As always, adjustments to our Visitor Policy are made as we monitor trends in positivity rates at our COVID-19 Assessment Centre, our patients, staff, physicians and community.”
No visiting will be permitted for any COVID-19 positive/suspected patients. Patients must have a negative COVID test result before being permitted visitors. Family members of our patients can contact our Patient Experience department to book a time to speak with their loved one through technology such as iPads or tablets. Please call ext. 2310 or email patientexperience@smhosp.on.ca
