Visiting Hours -Open door approach FAQ  

As of July 1st 2015, Cornwall Community Hospital will no longer be restricting visiting hours. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers. 

Q: What is different with Cornwall Hospital's visiting hours?
A: The revised visiting policy is flexible. There are no longer prescribed or restricted hours. Visiting hours are based on the expressed wishes of the patient, unique infection control restrictions or safety issues.

Q: Are there changes to how many visitors are allowed?
A: Patients should have no more than two visitors at a time.

Q: How do I enter the hospital at night?
A: Visitors in the hospital between 20h00 (8 p.m.) and 06h00 hours (6 a.m.) must use the Emergency entrance on the North side of the building.

Q: What about the emergency department?
A: Patients are asked to try and limit visitors to one person if possible. Exceptions are made at the judgment of the care team. Visitors must comply with the Hospital Rights and Responsibilities – disruptive visitors will be asked to leave.

Q: What about infection control? Aren’t we opening our patients up to an increased possibility of acquiring infections?
A: As always, visitors who are feeling unwell, have an infection, have symptoms of flu-like or respiratory illness or communicable disease should not visit. Recent reviews show no link between flexible visiting hours and increased infection rates. We do ask that when entering and leaving the hospital you clean your hands using the hand sanitizing gel.

Q: Can visitors be present during staff shift changes?
A: Yes, within a patient-centred, family-focused model of care, and with the consent of the patient, the family should be able to stay with the patient and may participate in bedside shift report.

Q: How will larger (ward) rooms be managed with respect to visitors?
A: We must balance the wishes and needs of all patients in the room. Visiting may be interrupted to provide patient care, to protect the privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety and security decisions.

Q: How will disruptive visitors be managed?
A: The condition and care needs of all patients must be considered at all times. Visiting may be interrupted or adjusted to protect the privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety and security decisions. Security will be notified if the care team requires assistance.

Q: Why am I being asked to leave the bedside of my loved one?
A: You may be asked to leave the room for a number of reasons. Privacy during a procedure, separate physician and staff rounds (in CCU), disrupting other patients/or families could all be reasons why you are asked to leave your loved one's room.  

We all want to do what is best for your loved one. This means we need to think about his/her needs. 

Patients need:

• To rest.
• To take part in care and treatment.
• To be protected from germs.
• To have the support of friends and family.