Coming to the Hospital

Preparing for Visitation at CCH...

UPDATE AS OF JUNE 2021 

Visitation restriction level currently in effect: MODERATE

Moderate visitation restrictions currently in place allow most patients to identify up to 2 essential care partners/visitors: Medical, critical care, surgical, ALC, rehab, mental health and gynecology inpatients are now able to have upwards of 2 essential visitors or care partners during their stay (only 1 is allowed to visit per day and only during one timeslot).

The limit of 1 visitor or care partner will be maintained for obstetrical patients during labour. Following labour, obstetrical inpatients are now able to have upwards of 2 essential visitors or care partners during their stay (only 1 is allowed to visit per day and only during one timeslot). In and out privileges may now be granted for obstetrical visitors for some exceptional circumstances

At this time, only essential visitors or care partners who meet the criteria for exceptional circumstances are allowed to accompany for Emergency Department visits and outpatient visits such as day surgery and procedures, dialysis, chemotherapy, diagnostic imaging, mental health visits, etc. 

***Please scroll down to find “exceptional circumstances” and “department-specific” details below for more information.

Based on public health guidelines, the following items are now considered best practice to protect patients and essential care partners/visitors during visitation:

  1. Wearing a medical-grade mask during visitation (a medical-grade mask will now be provided for you at CCH).
  2. Wearing a gown during visitation (a gown will be provided for you at CCH).
  3. Public health guidelines also currently recommend wearing safety glasses during visitation.
    • Please note that essential care partners/ visitors are still entitled to visitation even if they do not have safety glasses.
    • Due to limited supply for staff, CCH is unable to provide safety glasses for visitation. To comply with this best practice recommended by public health, care partners/visitors are encouraged to provide their own safety glasses.
For more information about public health guidelines, please visit the EOHU website or call 1-800 267-7120.
 

To book an appointment for visiting, please call 613-938-4240 ext. 4778 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  An appointment is REQUIRED.

Who can visit at CCH?

Family and essential care partners are an important part of each patient’s care team and family presence is important to the recovery of patients in the hospital. We are asking patients to identify essential care partners/ visitors.

Who is an “Essential Care Partner / Visitor”?

These are individuals who have been identified by the patient as support persons. If the patient is not capable of designating their essential care partners/ visitors their Substitute Decision Maker (as defined by the Province of Ontario) can make the designation.

Three restriction levels may affect visitation during COVID-19:

Full Restrictions: 1 identified essential care partner/visitor.
Moderate Restrictions: up to 2 identified essential care partners/visitors (for most departments).
Low Restrictions: up to 3 identified essential care partners/visitors (for most departments).

Exceptional circumstances

It is recognized that there are situations where essential visitors/care partners require additional access to a patient. These situations include, but are not limited to, patients who are children/youth, are palliative or actively dying (as determined by a physician), have cognitive, mobility, and or communication impairments, or require a translator.  Some patients coming to the hospital for outpatient appointments/procedures may bring an escort, as determined on a case by case basis. 

Department Specific Information:

Emergency Department:
Due to space restrictions in the emergency department and the need to ensure physical distancing due to COVID-19, the ED is not allowing patients to have family/caregivers or visitors accompany them into the ED waiting room and department.

Exceptions are the following:

  • Patients that have cognitive challenges and require a support person
  • Guardian/parent accompanying a child
  • The patient’s end of life is imminent 
  • *Compassionate reasons including mental health considerations, care partner/visitor senior support (these cases will be evaluated on a “case by case” basis with ED staff and the screeners)
*Note: Because of physical distancing requirements, this group will not be allowed to wait in the waiting room but can be called once the patient is settled in ED and the primary nurse/physician deems it appropriate to have a family/care partner present.

Critical Care Unit (CCU): 2 Care Partners are designated for this department. Determined case by case. Hours typically between 12 pm and 8 pm. Please call ext:2260 to request visitation.

Women and Children’s Health: 1 partner/person accompanying the labouring mom with in and out privileges.

VISITATION APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED:

To book an appointment for visiting, please call 613-938-4240 ext. 4778 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  

Virtual Family Visits are Always an Option!

Using Your Own Device:

With visiting restrictions in effect, we encourage families to reach out to their loved ones who are staying at the hospital, by using their own device for a virtual visit.

Using a CCH device:

If your loved one at the hospital does not have access to a device like a tablet or a smartphone, Cornwall Hospital can help by lending a hospital-owned tablet to facilitate a virtual visit!

What you need for a Virtual Family Visit:

  • A valid email address
  • A computer/tablet or phone with a camera and microphone
  • The Zoom App

A request to set up a virtual visit can be made by emailing virtual.visit@cornwallhospital.ca or by calling 613-938-4240 ext: 4740 and is available between the hours of 8h00 and 16h00 7 days a week. Information like the patient’s room number/name and time of the desired visit are helpful details to include when communicating.