Thunder Bay’s Regional Hospital is lifting some of its COVID-19 restrictions.
“We are pleased to share that, beginning this week, Care Partners will be welcomed back to our Hospital, along with Essential Care Partners,” said Dr. Stewart Kennedy, Incident Manager for the Hospital’s COVID-19 response. “Although necessary for everyone’s protection, the restrictions have been difficult for patients and families. Thanks to the diligence of our community members, and the introduction of mandatory masks, we are now able to ease restrictions.”
“We’ve been quite restrictive – more restrictive than most communities in Ontario and probably Canada. But the need for us to be restrictive is to protect our Hospital environment, our health care workers,” Kennedy went on to say.
Currently, only patients who met the qualifying criteria were permitted, one Essential Care Partner. Effective Wednesday, July 22, all the remaining inpatients will be permitted, one Care Partner.
As of July 22, Essential Care Partners are permitted to visit between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. ECPs apply to:
• a patient who is dying or very ill;
• a patient under 18 years old;
• patients undergoing surgery;
• women giving birth;
• outpatients who require assistance to attend their appointment;
• patients being discharged and ECP requires health teaching that cannot be provided post-discharge or virtually;
• patients with cognitive, mental health, or behavioural issues that impact the care team’s ability to provide safe care;
• patients with communication needs that cannot be easily addressed with existing resources and impact the care team’s ability to provide safe care;
• patients in the Intensive Care Unit;
• patients undergoing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).
As of July 22, one ECP may be present during labour and delivery, including in the Operating Room during a Caesarian Section. One ECP is also permitted in the maternal newborn unit for the first 6 hours of life or until the end of that day’s visiting hours, whichever is longer.
