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COVID-19 Information for Our Patients & Visitors

We want to assure you that there is a dedicated team of professionals at our hospital who have the passion, expertise, and focus to care for our communities. Our goal is to care for the sick, keep our workforce healthy, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 across our hospitals. We are following the guidance from our local Public Health officials and directives from the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Coming to Our Hospitals

The primary entry point is located at the Emergency Department entrance at both the Smiths Falls and GWM sites.  It is open 24 hours per day/7 days per week.

 

Perth (GWM) Site*: 

A second entry point for patients has been opened at the GWM site in Perth at the Main Entrance on Drummond Street. It is accessible Monday to Friday from 7 am to 4 pm.  The entrance is not accessible after 4 p.m. or on weekends.

 

Smiths Falls Site*: 

Patients in Smiths Falls will continue to use the Emergency entrance.

 

*Please note that these are drop off and pick up areas only. For safety reasons, parking or extended waiting in a drop off/pick-up area is NOT permitted.

 

Visitors to PSFDH

The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital regularly reviews its COVID-19 related policies and changes are based on factors such as prevalence of COVID-19 in our community and surrounding area.  

 

Effective November 1^st, 2021, all visitors to inpatient departments will be required to show proof of a full course of Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccination, with the last dose given at least 14 days prior to the date of the scheduled hospital visit.

 

This approach applies to all inpatient visitors and does not apply to:

a.       Outpatient departments such as the Emergency department, Diagnostic Imaging Department (ie. Ultrasound, x-ray, CT Scan, mammography), clinics and obstetrical appointments.

b.       Support people who are permitted for patients who require a support person in outpatient areas.

 

A negative COVID-19 swab is not enough to visit. All visitors must follow the hospital policy around mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

 

As always, you must pass screening, wear a mask at all times while in the building and ensure you maintain the recommended physical distance as appropriate.

  

Any individual seeking to visit a patient in the hospital must contact the care area where the patient is located to set up visitation 24 hours in advance, where possible. There are restrictions on hours, lengths, and the number of visitors permitted on each unit at one time.  Contact information for the hospital may be found here. 

 

Checking for proof of vaccination may result in longer wait times at the screening desks. We ask the public to be patient while we transition and ensure everyone’s safety. The patients and staff have a right to a non-violent workplace and any form of harassment will not be tolerated.

 

Virtual visits continue to be encouraged and welcomed.  Patients and families can connect online using their personal communication devices (phone, tablet, etc.) at a time that may be more suitable.  You can also send an online greeting to an inpatient via the PSFDH website: /sendgreetings

 

We understand also that you may want to deliver items in lieu of a visit.  Unfortunately, PSFDH staff are only be able to assist with distributing essential items and not able to accept non-essential items or gifts or flower deliveries.  Please note that the items brought to your loved one must be “wipeable” to support our stringent infection control practices. This is to keep your loved ones and the staff safe.

 

Essential items include,

• Glasses
• Hearing aids, Hearing Aid Batteries
• Dentures, Denture Adhesive, Denture Cleaner
• Medications
• Shoes for rehabilitation and Socks
• Clothes on the day of discharge (no earlier)
• Communication device such as iPad, tablet, laptop, cell phone or similar (items that staff can wipe down) [Don’t forget the charging cord]. PSFDH has WIFI connection for the patients to use.
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shampoo
• Robe, Under Garments- bra and underwear
• Electric Shaver
• Pen
• Comb or Brush

• CPAP Machines

• Walking Aids
• Food for individual patient in wipeable/disposable container clearly indicating the date prepared and patient's name

How you can drop off essential items:

• Items are to be brought to the appropriate site via the Emergency Department – staff at the screening desk will have an approved drop off list that they will use to decide whether your items are allowed.  Please note: this list is created by management and the screening desk only follows what management has guided.
• Essential items must be placed in a plastic bag.
• Please label the bag with the recipient’s name clearly legible.
• If known, provide your loved one’s room number.

Obstetrical/Birthing Unit (Labour and Delivery)

Support Person – Required to pass screening

• One identified support person can stay with the patient throughout triage, labour and delivery (including Operating Room as needed). See FAQs at top of page.
• Entry and re-entry to hospital will be limited to essential reasons.

Visitor (second support person, such as a doula) – Required to pass screening and show proof of full vaccination (completed at least 14 days prior to date of attending.)

 

One distinct vaccinated visitor can be identified by the patient, in addition to the primary support person, during labour and delivery:

 

No exchanges.

 

• No children under age 18
• Approved by the Obstetrician
• Can only come in when patient has been admitted to the Birth Unit
• Must leave when patient is in the post-partum phase of their stay in hospital (see post-partum visitation below)
• May not enter the Operating Room or the Recovery Room in the case of a C-section.

Birthing Unit (Post-partum)

• The support person identified in labour can stay 24 hours a day with patient until discharge. If the support person is not vaccinated, they MUST leave the premises and/or be switched with a vaccinated person after the patient delivers.
• One additional vaccinated visitor per day can be arranged up to 24 hours in advance, where possible
• The vaccinated visitor may to stay up to 1 hour and will be booked between the hours of 1100-1500 (11:00-3:00) or 1700-2100 (5:00-9:00) with the OBS nurses
• The area of visiting is limited to the patient room

To encourage safe social distancing practices, walking in the hallways or inpatient care areas is not permitted and movement in the hospital should be limited.

 

We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone and we sincerely thank you for your ongoing patience, understanding and adherence to our guidelines.  These guidelines are essential to help us protect the hospital, our patients and our community.  We continue to monitor the evolving situation and change our policies as the hospital continues to implement a carefully thought out and measured approach focusing on safety and quality of care.  

Helping a Patient to their Appointment

As we continue to open access to our hospital, PSFDH recognizes that there are times when a patient may wish to bring a support person to appointments in outpatient areas and services such as the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging, Dialysis, Out-Patient Rehabilitation, Out-Patient operating room procedures and ambulatory care clinics. Please note that all support persons must pass screening before entering the building and abide by hospital Infection Control practices. As a support person you will need to remain in the specific appointment area with the patient.

 

Scheduled Surgery and Procedures

What can you expect with the scheduling of your surgery or procedure?

• You will be contacted directly by your primary care provider and/or the hospital to discuss your procedure’s booking at which time you will be pre-screened for COVID-19
• You will be screened a second time when you enter the hospital through the Emergency Department Patient Entrance where you will be given a mask to wear and requested to wash your hands with hand sanitizer.
• You are then directed to registration where you will present your Health Card.
• You will be screened a third time while in the procedure’s waiting area.
• Mandatory physical distancing precautions are in place and are to be respected at all times. Waiting areas have been reconfigured to support these measures.

Our hospital is taking every possible measure to ensure patient and staff safety. People are reminded that if you require

urgent/emergent care, please go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911.

 

COVID-19 Assessment Centre 

It is important you obtain up-to-date information from credible information sources. Helpful information is found at: 

• Public Health Ontario
• Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
• Ministry of Health