Patients & Visitors

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF OUR PATIENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY AGAINST COVID-19, VISITOR RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE. 

Change to Visitor Policy Effective October 15, 2021 - Mandatory Vaccination Policy

Mandatory Vaccination Policy for all hospital visitors, essential caregivers, care partners coming into effect October 15 at all Renfrew County hospitals

With regards to the new mandatory vaccination policy coming into effect October 15th for hospital visitors, essential caregiver and care partners at all hospitals in Renfrew County, please note the following points of clarification:

- Regardless of vaccination status, no one will be denied care or services at the Pembroke Regional Hospital.

- The new mandatory vaccination policy which will come into effect October 15th ONLY applies to visitors, essential caregivers/ and care partners. The new policy DOES NOT apply to patients.

- There will be a number of exceptions to the new policy. Those exceptions are in the process of being finalized and will be shared by the hospital next week (the week of September 27th).

We appreciate you have questions regarding specific circumstances, and thank you for your patience as we finalize the details which should help address some of the concerns being expressed about the new policy.

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 designated Family Caregiver/Care Partner(s) 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 at a time.  

In addition to the above, patients may be permitted one visitor per day between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. and 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. 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 and wear your caregiver badge for the duration of the visit. Only one designated Caregiver/Care Partner will be permitted at a time. 
• 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 each/every visitation and sign in upon arrival.
• 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.
• The cafeteria is restricted to staff only. Visitors may access the Mural Cafe for food and drink. Visitors are not permitted to eat or drink in the patient's room. 
• Once the patient is discharged, hand in your caregiver badge to the nursing staff. 
• General visitors will be permitted between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Only one visitor per day will be permitted.    

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 in accordance with 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 retieve 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).  

In this section of our website you will find a variety of helpful information about our facility.

Additionally, as part of our commitment to quality care and patient safety, there are a few things you need to know before you visit.