COVID-19 Information For PRH Patients, Visitors and Our Community

Major changes have taken place at the Pembroke Regional Hospital to protect our health care team and our patients during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

PROVINCIAL LOCKDOWN EFFECTIVE December 26th, 2020 - Please note that In terms of the provincial lockdown which commences on December 26th, our programs and services including Ambulatory Clinics and elective surgeries will NOT be impacted. Mental Health Services of Renfrew County have noted that while their group activities will cease during the lockdown, their other services will continue as usual.

There will also be no impact on the current hospital Visitor Policies in Renfrew County.

PRH Auxliiary - The Mural Cafe and The Sunshine Gift Shop will be closed effective December 26th until further notice. However, in order to facilitate TV rentals, the Gift Shop will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-4 p.m. for TV rentals only. 

PRH Foundation - Although not obligated to close, the Foundation has made the decision to err on the side of caution for the health and safety of all our volunteers and close the Drive Thru Kiosk until Monday, January 11th . This decision will be reassessed as things change. Ticket sales at the Mural Café within the hospital will also be temporarily suspended. In the meantime, Catch the Ace tickets can still be purchased online at www.prhcatchtheace.ca

Hospital Access 

Access to our hospital for patients is now restricted four public entrances: Emergency Department (24/7), Tower B (7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), Tower C (7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and Tower D (7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Please follow the signage posted onsite and be prepared to be screened on arrival for symptoms, travel history and contact history.

The Lunch Box (cafeteria)  

Due to COVID-19 safety measures, our cafeteria is currently closed to patients and visitors.

Visitor Restrictions 

In an effort to protect the health of our patients, staff and community against COVID-19, visitor restrictions are now in place.

Our Visitor Policy (Family Caregiver/Care Partner Presence During COVID-19)  

Use of Masks 

If patients admitted to hospital catch COVID-19, they are at a high risk of becoming seriously ill or experiencing serious complications. As a safety measure for our patients, staff and visitors, scheduled/approved visitors must wear masks while indoors at any hospital in the Champlain region. If you are approved to visit, as per hospital policy you will be provided with a procedure mask when you arrive. 

Please note: 

• You are expected to wear a mask at all times while inside the hospital, including while in patient rooms. 
• If you are not wearing a mask, hospital staff will ask you to put on your mask. 
• You will be asked to leave the hospital if you refuse to wear a mask at any time during the visit. This is to protect patients, staff and other visitors. 
• At this time, there is no known substitute for a face mask that reduces the risk of transmission as effectively as a mask that covers the mouth and nose. Given the risk of transmission to patients in hospital, we are unable to allow anyone not wearing a mask to enter the hospital, even if you have a medical exemption.
• Essential caregivers are individuals who are not staff who must be present to provide essential care to the patient. Essential caregivers will be required to wear a mask at all times. If they are unable to wear a mask due to medical reasons, they must discuss with the medical/care team regarding other options. 

Thank you for helping us keep everyone in the hospital safe!  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Can I visit a friend or loved one in the Hospital?

Patients in Hospital are at extreme risk if exposed to COVID-19, therefore strict restrictions are necessary.
PRH may allow one Family Caregiver/Care Partner to support the patient’s care and mental well-being. The patient and/ or substitute decision maker is the one to decide who they would like to designate as their Family Caregiver/Care Partner. Only one Family Caregiver/Care Partner will be permitted in the Hospital per day. 

In addition to the above, patients may have a visit from their clergy/faith leader if the request for this visit has been approved by the Spiritual Care Coordinator and they have passed the screening at the hospital entrance.

Can I accompany a friend or loved one to the Emergency Department or an outpatient appointment?

Patients may designate one family/support person to accompany them while attending an outpatient appointment or the Emergency Department.
If you are accompanying a friend or loved one to a same-day procedure or surgery, you may be asked to wait outside or return when the procedure or surgery is complete.
If you are accompanying a friend or loved one to the Emergency Department, you may be asked to wait outside until the patient is brought to a designated room/treatment area.

Can I visit a friend or loved one who is dying in hospital?

Yes. Four visitors are allowed at a time in these circumstances if the patient’s room is large enough to allow for physical distancing. While there is no limit on the total number of different individuals who can visit, visits need to be coordinated with the care team and the Hospital. While it is difficult to be precise around when an individual is at end of life, this generally refers to the last week of life.

What are the Rules for Visiting?

To visit a patient in the Hospital you must:

• Be a designated Family Caregiver/Care Partner as identified by the patient.
• Be feeling well.
• Complete the health screening prior to entering the facility. You may be denied access based on symptoms and/or travel history.
• Continuously wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth.
• Report directly to the Nursing Station prior to visitation.
• Remain in the patient’s room as much as possible to minimize movement within the facility. Use the call bell system to alert the nurse if assistance is required.
• Perform Hand Hygiene (hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer) when entering and leaving the facility and when entering and leaving the patient’s room.
• In some circumstances, additional protective equipment may also be required. Please consult with the patient’s nurse.
• If a Family Caregiver/Care Partner does not follow the public health requirement during their time at the hospital, they will be asked to leave.  

What can I bring into the Hospital?

For the health and safety of our patients and staff, we ask that you only bring items for patients which can be cleaned or wiped down with Hospital Grade Disinfectant.

For the Maternal Child Care Program:

The designated visitor must be healthy and must pass screening. If the designated visitor is unable to attend then the mother can request another support person. The designated visitor cannot rotate or change through the labour process. This includes after delivery and for the recovery period.   

Personal Belongings for Patients  

At this time, personal belongings for patients (for activities of daily living as well as minimal personal items) will be permitted into the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic as per the following process for drop off: 

•  All items must be dropped off to Tower B (Emergency Department) entrance and left with the screener. 
• Items must be wipeable with hospital grade disinfectant or placed in a bag or container that is wipeable. 
• When items are dropped off, they must provide the screener with the patient's name and unit they are currently on. 
• The screener will disinfect the item/bag/container. 
• The screener will call the unit and ask someone from the unit to come and retrieve the items and deliver them to the patient. 

Some examples of items for activities of daily living or minimal personal items may include: hearing aids, glasses, dentures, personal brushes, books, electronic devices, slippers, clothes (clothes must be laundered before patient use). 

Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre

Renfrew County now has a new pandemic healthcare service to strengthen access to primary care and reduce the demand on our region's Emergency Departments.

If you have a health concern, including concerns or questions about COVID-19, and you don't have a family physician or can't access your family physician, call 1-844-727-6404 to connect with care and support from a nurse practitioner, family physician and/or community paramedic. For more information on this service, visit their website at http://www.rcvtac.ca/. 

How You Can Help Us

If you have personal protective equipment that you would like to donate to our hospital such as hand sanitizer, N95 masks, surgical masks, latex-free gloves, disinfectant wipes, protective eyewear/shields, or Level 2 isolation gowns, please drop these items off at the Pembroke Fire Department (200 International Drive, off Boundary Road) in Pembroke. Donations can be dropped off 24/7 or contact pr@prh.email if you have questions about donations.  

General Information on COVID-19  

For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit the Renfrew County and District Health Unit's website at www.rcdhu.com .

For the most up-to-date information about the COVID-19 situation in Ontario, visit www.ontario.ca.   

For the most  up-to-date information about COVID-19 from the World Health Organization (WHO), visit www.who.int

COVID-19 Mental Health and Addictions Resources

Resource for Ontarians Experiencing Mental Health and Addictions Issues During The Pandemic

COVID-19 Community Resources  

Renfrew County COVID-19 Resources and Helpful Information (Grouped by Community)