Visitors to Windsor Regional Hospital will see some policy changes starting Monday morning.
Following guidance from Public Health Ontario, the Metropolitan and Ouellette campuses are reducing masking requirements and adjusting the visitor policy.
The changes take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will bring the policies to near pre-COVID-19 levels with limited exceptions.
For masking, the policy will now be based, in all areas of the hospital, on the type of procedure, point-of-care risk assessment, and any additional precautions set by hospital staff. Previously, masking was required within two metres of any patient.
Wearing masks is no longer required but highly recommended in the emergency department due to high patient volumes and the possibility of infectious patients.
"Please note that we continue to support those individuals who still choose to wear a mask at any time," read a release from the hospital. "All individuals who put on a mask should use a hospital-issued mask."
For visitors, patients will, effective Monday, have 24/7 access to an essential caregiver, which can change from time to time. Specific visiting requirements are in place for mental health, renal dialysis, the cancer program, critical care, emergency, lab and diagnostic imaging, family birthing centre, OB triage, maternal newborn clinic, women’s health clinic, NICU, paediatrics, and the surgical program.
All other hospital areas will have visiting hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with a limit of two caregivers at a time. These can be either two adults, or one adult and one child. Exceptions may be granted for special occasions or compassionate grounds.
Children under 14 are discouraged from visiting due to the higher-risk environment. Children who do visit must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
If you're not feeling well, do not visit the hospital. Stay home and seek medical attention. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with the virus within the last ten days, stay home and isolate.
Complete information on WRH's masking and visitor policies can be found on the hospital's official website.
