Despite the fact no cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have been reported in Rainy River District, local hospitals and rest homes will continue to implement strict policies as precautionary measures in compliance with directives from the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
Wayne Woods, CEO of Riverside Health Care Facilities Inc., said Tuesday there’s been no indication as to when the province may lift the precautionary policies as more and more cases are being reported elsewhere in the Toronto area.
But he did say the response to the restrictions, which first came into effect last Monday, has been encouraging. “The public has been very co-operative. I think people understand that the hospital has to remain a ‘safe’ place,” Woods noted.
The state of alert has resulted in the rescheduling or cancellation of some hospital-related programs and services.
At La Verendrye, the breast education program scheduled for tomorrow (April 10) has been cancelled while the outpatient physiotherapist has seen a temporary clinic set up at Abitibi-Consolidated’s training centre on Mowat Avenue.
Day program/outpatient clinical nutrition and chiropody appointments at La Verendrye have been cancelled, as are non-urgent surgeries and diagnostic procedures.
Visiting by volunteers and hospital auxiliary members also have been suspended indefinitely.
All persons who do enter La Verendrye must undergo a screening test before entry is permitted.
As well, any access to the hospital is to be via the Front Street entrance, between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday to Friday (closed on Saturday and Sunday), or through the emergency entrance (24 hours) for staff and emergency patients.
Entrance at the Emo and Rainy River Health Centres is through the main entrance only.
The only exceptions to the visiting restriction is “compassionate reasons,” such as palliative care, being the parent of an admitted child, visiting a patient whose death may be imminent, or attendance by a partner at the delivery of a child.
The “compassionate reasons” exception also applies at Rainycrest Home for the Aged here, which has had restricted visitor access since last Wednesday.
Like Woods, Director of Nursing Helen Hedman said relatives and friends of residents there have been “co-operative” since the restrictions came into place.
“I’ve not had any negative comments. I sure they’re well aware of what’s happening elsewhere and why we’re doing this,” she remarked.
Hedman added Rainycrest administration has had regular meetings with the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in the past week or so, and, like all other institutions affected by the government-mandated visiting restrictions, they are waiting for direction from the province as to when the precautionary measures are lifted.
Contact the hospital or Rainycrest if you have any questions or require additional information about the visiting restrictions.
If you’re concerned that you have been exposed to SARS, call 1-800-830-5978. If you would like more information about the illness, visit www.nwhu.on.ca or www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
