August 20, 2003
Contact:
Nancy Lawrence
Media Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 77642
New Visiting Guidelines at LHSC beginning Friday
(LONDON, Ontario) London Health Sciences Centre is changing its visitor practices effective Friday, August 22. These new measures will remain in effect as an interim measure until a formal policy can be finalized after the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care releases its recommendations on SARS Transition Planning in December.
In summary, LHSC will no longer restrict the number of visitors an inpatient may receive in a day; however, only two visitors will be permitted in a patient's room at any time. Visiting hours remain the same - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and Noon to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.
LHSC continues to ask that only outpatients who require additional assistance be escorted to their appointment or procedure and that if this help is needed, a maximum of two individuals will be permitted to attend with the patient.
Visitors continue to be restricted in the patient care areas of the Emergency departments and will be asked to stay in the waiting areas. Patient care staff may make exceptions under special circumstances as appropriate.
Visiting hours may be outside of the hospital's posted visiting hours for patients who are critically ill, palliative patients, paediatric patients, and women in labour. Visiting hours for these patients are to be determined by the patient, his or her family, and members of the healthcare team.
Patients and visitors will no longer be required to sign in or wear patient/visitor badges. Self screening information will be posted at all entrances.
LHSC will continue to separate patient and visitor entrances from staff entrances for infection control purposes. Patients and visitors are to use the following entrances at each of the three sites:
University Campus
24-hour access
Main entrance on Perth Drive
Emergency Department main entrance (emergency patients only)
Victoria Campus, Commissioner's Road
24-hour access
Admitting entrance off Commissioner's Road
Emergency Department main entrance (emergency patients only)
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ivey Institute main entrance
West Tower main entrance off Baseline Road
Victoria Campus, South Street Site
24-hour access
Admitting main entrance off Colborne Street
Emergency Department main entrance (emergency patients only)
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Old War Memorial Hospital entrance, Colborne Street
"LHSC's primary concern is the health and safety of its patients and staff. As the tertiary care referral centre for Southwestern Ontario, it is essential that we design our visitor policies and practices to protect patients and staff so that we are able to maintain access to our specialty services at all times. We believe these new guidelines do this," says Dr. Murray Girotti, Vice-President Academic & Medical Staff.
