Visiting Hours

Visitor and Essential Care Partner Policy

Can I visit a loved one admitted to hospital?

Patients can only have visitors or an essential care partner (ECP) under limited circumstances. A summary of the guidelines are listed below:

Inpatients/critical care

• Two visitors, 14 years old or older, may visit with only one per day at the bedside for up to two consecutive hours within Osler’s visiting hours

Inpatients — with fundamental care needs (i.e. high falls risk, support needed for nutrition, positioning, toileting, etc.)

• One ECP (and one alternate) on a 24/7 basis
• Two additional visitors, 14 years old or older, may also visit with only one per day at the bedside for up to two consecutive hours within Osler’s visiting hours
• A visitor under the age of 14 may be permitted when accompanied by an ECP

Outpatients — paediatric patients or patients with a physical, cognitive or developmental disability

• One ECP may accompany outpatient during their scheduled appointment/procedure

Palliative care and end of life

• Palliative care: two visitors may visit with only one per day at the bedside for up to two consecutive hours within Osler’s visiting hours
• End of life: up to four visitors on a 24/7 basis with only two at time at the bedside
• Visitors can be any age; however, those under 14 may require accompaniment

Emergency Department

• One visitor on a 24/7 basis for paediatrics, cognitive, physical, developmental disability, end of life (including miscarriage/stillborn death) and life or limb threatening condition

Major surgery

• One visitor may visit prior to the operation/surgery at the discretion of the clinical manager

Critical care and mental health crisis

• One visitor may visit at one time or more for up to two consecutive hours at the discretion of the clinical manager

Labour and Delivery, NICU and Paediatrics

• Labour and Delivery: one ECP for labour support and may remain in Post Partum as needed on a 24/7 basis
• NICU: two ECPs may visit on a 24/7 basis
• Paediatrics: one ECP (and one alternate) may visit on a 24/7 basis

Life altering circumstance, or organ donation discussions

• One visitor for one visit

COVID-19 positive or patients suspected of being COVID-19 positive

• Visits will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the clinical manager

All visits must be scheduled to ensure physical distancing is maintained, especially in rooms with multiple patients. Visits will be scheduled between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Visitors or ECPs must follow the COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

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 the Reactivation Care Unit clinical team 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.

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:

• proof of mandatory vaccination for all ECPs, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers
• 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
• required to wear a mask, clean your hands frequently and maintain physical distance of two metres from others when possible
• ECPs assisting with direct care needs could be asked to implement additional precautions
• required not to eat or drink, even when in the patient’s room, as this involves removing your mask
• asked to go to the unit or clinic directly and not visit other areas of the building

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. For more information and for rates, see directions and parking.

Pre-planning visitors and scheduling a visit

In the context of visitor restrictions, it is strongly encouraged for everyone to discuss in advance of any hospitalization who they wish to visit if they are to be incapable of making that decision.

How do I schedule a 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

Clinical Managers (or their delegate) will schedule all ECP visits following a discussion with the ECP.

If in-person visitation is not possible, please refer to the virtual visitation information to learn 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 visitor 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 visitor should be?

The patient’s family will still be responsible for identifying the visitor. 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.

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 not requiring a rapid antigen test:

• Visitation for imminent end of life (including miscarriage or stillborn death)
• Visitation for Emergency Department patients with life or limb-threatening conditions
• ECP for paediatric outpatients and Emergency Department visits

Clinical exemptions requiring a rapid antigen test at screening:

• Visitation for paediatric (under 18 years old) patients
• Visitation for a woman in expected labour and delivery
• Only available essential care partner is unvaccinated

Essential care partners (ECP)

What is an ECP?

An ECP is an essential care partner, usually a family member or friend, who helps support patient care at the bedside, typically for patients at risk of falling and/or who need support in three or more areas of activities of daily living (e.g., eating, going to the bathroom, mobility, cognitive support, etc.). The decision as to whether or not a patient needs an ECP is determined in consultation with the patient’s clinical team. The ECP must be approved by the clinical team.

COVID-19 vaccination/boosters

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for visitors and essential care partners.

How can I book a third dose/booster appointment at Osler?

All eligible ECPs can book a third dose/booster appointment by doing the following:

• Visit MyOsler
• Register to create a unique account (ECPs cannot use someone else’s account)
• When prompted, enter booking code: ohsbooster
• Follow the prompts for scheduling an appointment
• A confirmation email will be sent with additional instructions and clinic details

What do I need to do to prepare for my booster appointment?

At Osler’s vaccine clinic, ECPs will be required to provide:

• Proof of age (e.g. government issued photo identification such as driver’s license, health card)
• Proof of residency (e.g. proof of address)

ECP names will also be verified from an Osler prepared list of approved ECPs.

Is it mandatory for me to receive a booster?

At this time, boosters are not mandatory for ECPs.

What are the vaccination requirements for ECPs?

All ECPs are required to provide proof of full vaccination along with photo ID. ECPs are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca).

Is a booster right for me?

If unsure whether a booster is right for you, speak with your primary care provider.

Where can I find more information about the COVID-19 vaccine?

Visit the Ontario Government's website for more information about the vaccine.

Mask fit testing (mandatory for all ECPs)

For everyone’s health and safety, all ECPs are now required to be mask-fitted for an N95 mask, with the exception of an ECP accompanying a woman in labour.

• You can book your appointment at an Osler mask fit clinic at Brampton Civic Hospital or Etobicoke General Hospital.
• Any difficulties with an appropriate mask fit test will be addressed on a case-by- case basis.
• Following your mask fit test, you will be given a respirator fit test record which you must show, along with proof of vaccination, at the screening entrance each time you enter the hospital.
• If the patient you are visiting is COVID-19 positive, under investigation for COVID-19, or being cared for on a unit on COVID-19 outbreak, you require a respirator fit test record before entering the unit and must wear an N95 mask at all times while on the unit. If you do not have a respirator fit test record you will be denied entry.
• If the patient you are visiting is not COVID-19 positive, under investigation for COVID-19 or being cared for on a unit on COVID-19 outbreak, you have 48 hours to get your mask fit test done.
• Please wear your own mask when entering the hospital.
• You will be provided with a hospital-issued mask when being screened at the entrance.
• If you require an N95 mask, you will be able to get one on the patient’s unit with your respirator fit test record.

Parking and public transit

Where can I park my car?

Learn about directions and parking information for Brampton Civic Hospital and Etobicoke General Hospital:

• Street address and phone number
• Directions when arriving by car
• Bus routes when arriving by public transit
• Parking rates and parking pass options

Do I have to pay for parking?

Yes, all ECPs must pay for parking. Parking rates for each hospital are available on our directions and parking webpages.

Is there a special weekly or monthly parking rate for ECPs?

Osler offers five-day, 10-day and 30-day flex passes. Each pass includes unlimited in and out privileges over a 24-hour period. Passes can be transferred between ECPs caring for the same patient (ECP and one alternate)

• Brampton Civic: Buy flex pass from parking office at the east entrance of the parking garage
• Etobicoke General: Buy flex pass from parking office inside the main entrance (next to elevators)

For more information and for rates, see directions and parking.

Where should I enter the hospital once I have parked?

Brampton Civic: Via the main entrance (off Bovaird Avenue) or entrance B (off Peter Robertson Boulevard)
Etobicoke General: Via the main entrance (off Humber College Boulevard)

Where should I enter the hospital if someone is dropping me off?

Brampton Civic: Via the main entrance (off Bovaird Avenue)
Etobicoke General: Via the main entrance (off Humber College Boulevard)

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, visitors, staff, physicians, contractors and volunteers are required to be screened before entering the hospital every day to ensure it is safe 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 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.