Visiting Hours

Visitor and Essential Care 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 12 years old or older, for a maximum of two hours a day between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

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:

• Brampton Civic Hospital: (905) 494-2120 ext. 51297
• Etobicoke General Hospital: (905) 494-2120 ext. 37617

We appreciate your patience as our staff do their best to accommodate visit requests.

Is the visitor policy the same for the Reactivation Care Centre?

Yes, the visitor policy is the same for visitors to the Reactivation Care Centre, however the visiting hours are instead between 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Please connect directly with management to make arrangements for your visit.

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 an essential 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 can accompany the patient into the hospital for support.

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 eight 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) or Urgent Care Centre (UCC)?

Visiting patients in the ED or UCC 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 or UCC. 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:

• implementing enhanced cleaning practices and safety measures
• actively screening all outpatients, visitors, staff, physicians, volunteers and contractors
• providing masks to everyone who comes to our hospitals
• enforcing visitor restrictions
• restricting the items that can be brought to our sites

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:

• screened for COVID-19 prior to entering
• show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, along with photo identification, or proof of an approved medical exemption
• asked to wear a mask, clean your hands frequently and maintain physical distance of two metres from others when possible
• asked to go to the unit or clinic directly and not visit other areas of the building
• asked to bring only approved belongings for the patient (see approved list below)

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.

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

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 old or older, for a maximum of two hours a day between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. 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
• Etobicoke General Hospital: (905) 494-2120 ext. 37617

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:

• Had the patient communicated in advance who they would want to be their visitors?
• Does the patient have an appointed Power of Attorney or Substitute Decision Maker who might be informed about who the patient might wish to visit?
• Are there any legal restrictions, such as restraining orders or active legal proceedings that might influence the decision?
• Is there known conflictual relationship or estrangement that should be considered?
• Is there anyone who is not able to physically visit, due to proximity, severe mobility issues, or other health issues, such as immune status?
• If a patient is at, or near, end of life, who can respond more urgently?
• Can immediate family be prioritized over extended family?
• Should intimacy of relationship be considered over formal or familial relationship?
• Would consultation with another person be helpful i.e. a friend, community leader or spiritual health provider?

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.

Visitor and essential care partner COVID-19 vaccination requirements

Approved visitors and essential care partners can only enter Osler facilities if they show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (fully vaccinated plus 14 days), along with photo identification, or proof of an approved medical exemption.

Patients do not need to be vaccinated to seek medical care. We will continue to offer high-quality care to every patient who comes through our doors. The Visitor and Essential Care Partner Policy allows family members to visit patients while taking every step possible to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

Mandatory vaccination exemptions for visitors and essential care partners

Medical exemptions:

• Any concerns regarding medical exemptions will be addressed through the Patient Experience office visitor appeals process guided by criteria from Ontario Health.

Clinical exemptions:

• Visitation for imminent end of life
• Visitation for Emergency Department patients with life or limb-threatening conditions
• Visitation for paediatric (under 18 years old) patients
• Visitation for Emergency Department or outpatients with physical, cognitive or developmental disabilities
• Visitation for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients
  • Unvaccinated NICU partner must agree to do a self-administered rapid antigen test every 72 hours
• Visitation for urgent, life-altering or critical illness, identified by clinical team, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care Unit (CCU) and select pre or post surgical procedures
• Essential care partner for a woman in unexpected labour and delivery, experiencing miscarriage or stillborn death or urgent surgical intervention
• Visitation for a woman in expected labour and delivery
  • Essential care partner must agree to self-administered rapid antigen test at screening
• Only available essential care partner or approved outpatient visitor is unvaccinated
  • Essential care partner or visitor must agree to self-administered rapid antigen test at screening

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
Connect with a patient at Etobicoke General

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:

• Breast milk
• Breast pumps
• Car seats
• Dentures
• Food in disposable containers and bags (from a non-COVID positive household only)
• Glasses
• Hardcover books or electronic readers
• Hearing Aids
• Mobile phones, iPads, laptops and chargers
• Nail clippers/razors (except on Mental Health Units)
• Non-slip slippers
• Prosthesis
• Running shoes and exercise clothes for rehab patients
• Toiletries
• Undergarments
• Walkers/strollers
• Washed clothing for post-partum mothers, newborns or patients being discharged

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:

• Brampton Civic – entrance B
• Etobicoke General – main lobby
• Peel Memorial – main lobby

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:

• Brampton Civic – main entrance, entrance B
• Etobicoke General – main entrance

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.