At this time LHSC will only be permitting essential care partners to visit patients in hospital. Details are below.
University Hospital and Victoria Hospital
Only essential care partners are permitted at this time.
Clinical staff will determine when care partners are essential based on: (a) need for patient safety (e.g. patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis that the care team believes could be supported by having an essential care partner present), (b) need to enable patient care (e.g. patients with development or intellectual disability that requires support), or (c) compassionate reasons (e.g. when disclosing life changing diagnosis/prognosis)
Units experiencing a local outbreak of COVID-19 may further limit visitation. Speak with your care team for more details.
| Category | Policy |
| Outpatient | No accompaniment to out-patient appointments is permitted at this time unless the Physician determines it is essential |
| Emergency Department | No accompaniment unless the clinical team determines it is essential |
| Inpatient | No visitation unless the clinical team determines it is essential |
| Obstetrics | Patients who present to the OB Triage will be allowed to have one designated care partner accompany them for their assessment and throughout their stay if they proceed with labor and delivery. This person is to be the person who will stay with them for the duration of their stay. There will no in and out switching privileges. |
| Palliative | Patients who are imminently dying may have two care partners visiting at a time. More than two care partners can be identified but the number of care partners coming to hospital in a day may be limited by local leadership. |
When permitted, patients (or their substitute decision-makers if they are incapable), will identify one designated care partner. The team will communicate directly with them regarding when they may visit and for how long.
Children’s Hospital
| Category | Policy |
| Children's Outpatient | One designated care partner may accompany the child to each appointment. |
| Children's Inpatient | Two designated care partners can be in hospital daily, though they will be asked not to leave and return on the same day, and only one care partner can be at the bedside at a time. |
| Children's Other | Physicians and Leaders may approve of exceptions if deemed appropriate (e.g. in circumstances where a child is critically ill) |
*Care Partners may be Parents, Guardians, or other care providers
Family/caregivers who have received approval to accompany or visit a patient will be required to:
- Pass the screening criteria at the visitor entrance. If a potential visitor fails the most up to date screening criteria, they will be restricted from entering. In addition to presence of symptoms, family/caregivers will not be permitted to visit if they have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days.
- Wear an ID badge while in hospital that will be provided at the screening desk, which identifies that they have been screened and the current date.
- Wear a mask or other personal protective equipment and perform hand hygiene as directed by the entrance screening desk or clinical unit.
When not possible to visit in-hospital, virtual visits will be supported using technology such as iPads. Please see the Request a Virtual Visit section for more information about this program and to request a visit.
LHSC values the role of family members and other care providers as essential partners in care delivery. Patients and their substitute decision-makers are best suited to determine who constitutes a ‘caregiver’ and who might otherwise be a welcomed ‘visitor’. LHSC remains committed to patient and family-centred care and will make every effort to ensure that the needs of patients and families are met while these temporary measures are in place.
