Changes to Family Presence and Visitor Policy
Safety remains a top priority at Osler. To ensure the safety of our patients, their families, our staff, physicians and volunteers, we continue to evaluate and revise our Visitor Policy, weighing the health and safety of all, while also promoting a compassionate and healing environment for our patients.
Please check our Visitor Policy below for the most up-to-date information on who can currently visit patients at Osler hospitals. Visitors have the option to use the online self-screening tool on their mobile device prior to coming to the hospital or while they wait in line. While using this tool, you will complete a series of COVID-19 symptom questions to show that you have met the screening requirements before entering the hospital. Self-screening must be completed on the same day that you are visiting the hospital.
Please note that Osler offers a greeting card delivery service for inpatients at Brampton Civic and Etobicoke General. Please complete our greeting card request form, and one of our volunteers will make arrangements to deliver the greeting card to your loved one.
Visitor policy and scheduling a visit |
Who can visit the hospital?With vaccination rates increasing in our communities, we are gradually increasing the number of visitors allowed into our hospitals. Please note that the length of the visit is dependent on the type of visit and day passes will be considered on a case-by-case basis for fully-vaccinated patients only. Can I visit a loved one admitted to hospital?With the exception of COVID-19 positive patients and patients suspected of having COVID-19, admitted patients can have up to two visitors, who are 18 years or older, for a maximum of two hours a day between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. They must be the same two visitors throughout the patients stay. All visits must be scheduled (see instructions below) to ensure physical distancing is maintained, especially in rooms with multiple patients. Patients who meet the criteria for an essential care partner (ECP) - a family member who provides care at bedside - can have an additional two ECPs, 18 years or older, visit 24/7. They must be the same two ECPs throughout the patients stay. Please note that the total number of visitors a patient can have at any time is two (for example, two ECPs; one ECP and one non-ECP visitor; two non-ECP visitors). How do I schedule an in-person visit with an Osler patient on an inpatient unit?To schedule a visit, please call the visitation team between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. where the patient is receiving care:
We appreciate your patience as our staff do their best to accommodate visit requests. Are there situations in which I may be asked to postpone my visit?Yes, the health and safety of our patients, their loved ones, and our staff, physicians, and volunteers is our top priority so depending on the number of patients in the room and size of the room, you may be asked to visit at a different time to ensure all safety protocols, including physical distancing, can be maintained. What is an ECP?An ECP is a care partner, usually a family member, who helps support patient care at the bedside, typically for patients at risk of falling and who need support in three or more areas of activities of daily living (i.e. eating, going to the bathroom, mobility, etc). The decision as to whether or not a patient needs an ECP is determined in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. Can I accompany a loved one to a day procedure, test or treatment at the hospital?Osler patients who are coming to the hospital for a day procedure, test or treatment are asked to come alone unless they are under 18 years of age, have a cognitive/developmental, physical/mental disability or it is a life-altering circumstance. In those situations, one person, 18 years or older, can accompany the patient into the hospital for support. Do I need to be vaccinated to visit a patient in the hospital?All visitors must be screened and follow all safety precautions and protocols but do not require a COVID-19 negative proof swab or proof of vaccination. What is the policy for visiting a loved one at end of life?All patients who are at end of life, including COVID-19 positive patients and patients suspected of having COVID-19, can have up to four visitors of any age, with two visitors at a time preferred, 24/7 with no limit on time. A spiritual leader may also be present in addition to the visitors. Can I visit my loved one in the Emergency Department (ED)?Visiting patients in the ED is allowed in certain circumstances. There may need to be adjustments to ensure physical distancing can be maintained. Paediatric patients, patients with a cognitive/developmental, physical/mental disability or those experiencing a life or limb threatening condition, are allowed one visitor. If the patient meets the criteria for an ECP, one ECP can accompany them into the ED. ED patients at end of life, including those who experience miscarriage and stillborn birth, can have up to four visitors with two visitors at a time preferred. What is the policy for visiting a loved one who is COVID-19 positive or under investigation for COVID-19?Visits with patients who are COVID-19 positive or patients suspected of being COVID-19 positive who are not at end of life will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Please speak directly with the clinical services manager to discuss. Why are visitor restrictions in place?Osler implemented visitor restrictions as part of our ongoing efforts to protect the public, patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers from the potential transmission of COVID-19. We understand these restrictions are very difficult for everyone. We strive to create a safe environment while being empathetic to our patients and their loved ones. Your patience and understanding is valued as we work together during this time. Why has Osler implemented an online self-screening tool for visitors?As Osler continues to gradually welcome more visitors into the hospital, this tool enhances the screening process by improving our ability to ensure the health and safety of all those who enter the hospital and allows faster access for scheduled visits. This online tool asks a series of COVID-19 symptom questions. Once you have responded to each question, the tool will indicate whether you are able to safely enter the hospital or not. You will be required to show this confirmation to the screeners at the hospital entrance. What if I do not have a mobile device or do not want to use the online self-screening tool?Visitors who do not wish to use the tool or do not have a mobile device can continue to be screened in-person at the entrance. If you’re having technical difficulties with the online self-screening tool, please come to the hospital and you will be screened in-person at the hospital entrance. Is it safe to visit the hospital?Yes – please rest assured that at Osler everyone’s health and safety is our top priority. We are committed to providing safe, compassionate and high-quality health care, and we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who comes into our hospitals. Among our many safety measures, are:
We continue to follow Ontario Health guidelines and update our visitor policy on a regular basis, to ensure the continued safety of everyone who comes through our doors. What guidelines need to be followed when visiting?Visitors who feel unwell are asked not to visit. All visitors will be:
Can children visit a patient?Children under 18 years old can only visit a patient who is at end of life. Which entrance should visitors use?Please use the main lobby entrance when visiting either Brampton Civic, Etobicoke General or Peel Memorial. Outpatients and visitors can also enter at entrance B at Brampton Civic. When will other visitor restrictions be lifted?Osler has adopted a phased approach to lifting visitor restrictions. We will continue to evaluate the visitor restrictions that are in place, weighing both the safety of our patients, family members and staff, while also promoting a compassionate and healing environment. Why is Osler taking a phased approach lifting visitor restrictions?A gradual and phased approach to lifting visitor restrictions will ensure Osler is able to plan and manage the safety of our patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers. |
Pre-planning your visitors |
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In the context of visitor restrictions, it is strongly encouraged for everyone to discuss in advance of any hospitalization who they wish to visit (up to two visitors) if they are to be incapable of making that decision. Who can visit Osler patients, in-person, on an inpatient unit?With the exception of COVID-19 positive patients and patients suspected of having COVID-19, most admitted patients (with some exceptions) can have up to two visitors, who are 12 years or older, for a maximum of two hours a day between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. They must be the same two visitors throughout the patients stay, and they must schedule their visit in advance. How do I schedule an in-person visit with an Osler patient on an inpatient unit?To schedule a visit, please call the visitation team between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday at the location where the patient is receiving care: • Brampton Civic Hospital: (905) 494-2120 ext. 51297 If in-person visitation is not possible, please refer to the virtual visitation FAQs for information on how to set up a virtual visit. We appreciate your patience as our staff do their best to accommodate visit requests. Does the visitor identity need to be approved in advance?Yes. All visitors must be pre-approved by the capable patient prior to the visitor(s) scheduling an appointment. How and when does a patient approve who visits?The capable patient can approve the identity of visitors once they are admitted to an inpatient bed by talking to a nurse or care provider. What happens if the patient becomes incapable of identifying visitors?If a patient becomes incapable of identifying visitors, their family will be responsible for deciding who the patient’s two visitors will be. The patient’s family should confirm and inform the inpatient unit the patient was admitted to. What should the family of patients who become incapable consider when approving visitors?If a patient becomes incapable of approving their own visitors, their family should consider the following factors when approving visitors:
What happens if the family of a patient who becomes incapable disagrees on who the two visitors should be?The patient’s family will still be responsible for identifying two visitors. Osler’s Patient Experience office can help families make an informed decision, or if given permission by the patient’s family, make the decision on behalf of the patient based on factors to be considered – listed previously. The Patient Experience office can be contacted at 905-494-2120 ext. 56565. |
Virtual visitation |
Is virtual visitation available?Yes. Patients can use their own mobile devices through free guest access hospital-wide WiFi – available at all three hospital sites. We encourage patients to use their mobile devices for Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp for virtual visits. For patients who do not have a mobile device and want to set up a virtual visit, please connect with your loved one’s clinical team and they can make arrangements with the virtual visitation team or support you in using Family Chat on the Integrated Bedside Terminals (IBT) available in our patient rooms. To connect with your loved one through Family Chat, you will need to know the Location ID of the IBT. Connect with a patient at Brampton Civic If you are using a computer or laptop, the supported browsers are Chrome, Edge and Opera. Currently, only mobile devices with the Android 10+ operating system with Chrome are supported. Please note that if the patient’s bed location changes, so will their Location ID. Are there any guidelines I need to follow during a virtual visit?Electronic communication is vulnerable to cyber risk. To ensure the privacy and security of patients, virtual visits may not be used for discussions with the health care team. If you have questions for the health care team regarding your loved one’s care, please speak with members of the health care team separately via telephone. To protect the privacy of all involved, the recording of virtual visits is prohibited. In certain circumstances, there may be the need to conclude a virtual visit to protect the privacy of others. |
Dropping off items |
What am I allowed to drop off to a patient?To help ensure the safety of all our patients, staff, physicians and volunteers we are restricting what can be dropped off for patients to a limited number of essential items. You are permitted to drop off the following items to a patient in our care:
Osler does not accept responsibility for lost or stolen items. Where do I drop off the items?Items can be dropped off at the following entrances:
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Labour and delivery |
Can I bring someone with me when I deliver my baby at your hospital?Yes – one support person is permitted to attend the baby’s birth. Will my support person and I be screened when we enter the hospital?Yes – Everyone is screened upon entering the hospital and provided with a mask that should be worn at all times inside. If either mother or support person does not pass screening, secondary screening will be required when they arrive on the unit. Please enter the hospital through the designated patient/visitor entrances:
Can I bring a doula with me?Doula are considers members of the patient’s care team and are able to attend the baby’s birth. Can I bring items with me to the hospital?There is a list of items that you can bring with you upon admission to the Postpartum/Mother and Baby Unit. This includes, diapers, clothing for mother and baby, a car seat, stroller, breast pump and food. Please see list of approved items. Additionally, food deliveries arranged by the support partner should be in disposable containers and plastic bags. All items will be wiped down upon arrival at the hospital. Are there any guidelines that support persons should follow once on the Labour and Delivery/Birthing Unit?All support partners will receive and wear a wristband and have limited in/out privileges through the approved patient/visitor hospital entrances/exits. Each time upon entering the hospital, support partners will be screened and provided with a new mask. |
Screening |
Who is being screened at the hospital?All patients, any visitors by exception, staff, physicians, contractors and volunteers are now required to be screened before entering the hospital every day. Why is everyone being screened?Everyone entering is being screened to ensure it is safe for them to enter the hospital and they are not at risk of contributing to the spread of COVID-19. What do you need to know as a visitor entering the hospital?We ask that you please be patient and answer questions honestly to help keep everyone healthy and safe. If an outpatient does not pass our screening criteria, we will determine if their appointment continues with appropriate protection or can be re-scheduled. If a visitor who is accompanying a patient does not pass our screening criteria they will not be allowed enter and we will identify other ways to escort the patient to their appointment. Why are patients and staff being asked to use separate entrances?We are asking staff and patients to use designated entrances to enact social distancing, help reduce line-ups and streamline our screening processes. |
