Updated November 7, 2023

On Thursday, November 2, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph (SJHCG) received communication from the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) regarding enhanced masking measures to be implemented across the organization by November 7, 2023. In an effort to continue to protect all residents, the MLTC has made the decision provincially to implement enhanced masking in all instances of prolonged resident contact.

As with all mandates received, the SJHCG IMS team has reviewed the mandate to determine how to implement these changes to keep our clients, staff and visitors safe. The decision has been made to implement masking in all clinical areas and for all forward-facing activities with prolonged contact effective November 7, 2023. This means that all staff, physicians, volunteers and visitors will be required to wear a mask provided by SJHCG in all clinical areas and during all forward-facing activities with prolonged contact such as Life Enrichment activities taking place in the auditorium or attending church services with residents.

As an organization, we continue to have robust Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures in place. SJHCG continues to work in collaboration with WDG Public Health and is closely monitoring viral trends within our organization, locally and regionally to make informed, evidence-based decisions to ensure the safety of all clients, staff, and visitors.

Families and visitors will be allowed to remove their masks in their loved one’s rooms and in central areas when consuming food and will be required to wear a mask in all clinical areas. Staff are asked to remind families to wear their masks and provide education on how to properly wear a mask when required.

If a client resides in a shared room and is uncomfortable with visitors in their room removing their mask, a space will be made available for the client and their loved one to visit outside of the clients shared room.

 

A few reminders for all:

  • When wearing a mask provided by SJHCG, please ensure that you are wearing the mask correctly at all times ensuring that it covers both your nose and mouth.
  • Masks will be available at the front entrance and at the entrance to all units.
  • Ensure you are following the four moments of hand hygiene. Proper hand hygiene is the most effective line of defence against the spread of illness.
  • Remain vigilant. Conduct point-of-care risk assessments consistently and wear a mask if there is any potential risk of exposure to respiratory viral illness.
  • Adhere to the correct procedure to don and doff PPE when required.
  • All individuals entering an isolation room must be aware of the specific PPE requirements and any changes or additions required. Ensure you have removed all PPE when leaving the room and don a new mask.
  • If you feel unwell, please do not come to work. Instead, refer to the guidelines in the Employee Health Decision Tree for the appropriate next steps.
  • As the respiratory season continues, the best way to reduce transmission risk and potential serious complications is to protect yourself and your family by keeping your vaccinations up-to-date as per Public Health guidelines.

We would like to thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we navigate this coming respiratory illness season. As we move through this season, proactive decisions may be made quickly and those changes and their implementation will be communicated to you as quickly as possible.

– Infection Prevention and Control Lead

 

Videos:

Wearing a Mask

Hand Hygiene with Alcohol-based Hand Rub

Hand Hygiene with Hand-washing

Putting on (Donning) PPE

Putting on (donning) PPE – If you have to wear a mask at all times

Taking off (doffing) PPE

Taking off (doffing) PPE – If you have to wear a mask at all times

 

Visiting the Health Centre during COVID-19

Visiting a Resident in Long-Term Care

Visitors

SJHCG welcomes and encourages visits from the family and friends of our residents. Community visitors are welcome at any time and we have provided private or ‘quiet’ space to make such visits more enjoyable.

We have also taken steps to make sure our visitors feel welcome at St. Joseph’s:

  • Our bedrooms have been designed to allow for
  • Each neighbourhood has a living room that residents may use to relax and visit with others.
  • There are small sitting areas at the end of each neighbourhood corridor where residents can stop and chat.
  • Each neighbourhood has a communal dining room; however, residents can be seated at an individual table to enjoy a meal or snack with family and friends.
  • There are open-air balconies that can be accessed on the second, third, and fourth levels of the main and north buildings.
  • Other areas in which the resident and their visitors may wish to enjoy a visit are: the Tranquility Garden, the front courtyard at the Main and/or North Building entrances, the sitting areas within the Ireland Family Lobby (main lobby), the Silver Maple Coffee and Gift Shop (main lobby), and the Oasis Library.

 

Resident Sign-out Books 

It is important that residents and their loved ones inform staff and fill out the resident sign-out book whenever a resident is leaving their neighbourhood, even if it is just for a short walk. This will ensure that staff are aware of the whereabouts of the residents while at or away from the facility. Resident sign-out books are located on each neighbourhood.

It is a requirement of the organization that all individuals attend the unit and use the sign-out book and communicate to the team prior to taking a resident off of the premises.

 

Ways Family and Friends Can Make Their Visit Meaningful 

Many people ask us how they can continue to support and provide care for a family member or friend who has moved to our Health Centre.

Participating in activities together can be very meaningful and support a continued deeply personal connection with your loved one.

Family members may want to:

  • Assist your loved one or friend at a mealtime, or with care you previously supported them with. Your company and assistance makes your loved one’s experience at SJHCG more personal and home-like.
  • Attend organized events such as movies, concerts, or other special events listed on the Client Activity calendars. These calendars are updated every month and posted on St. Joseph’s website at sjhcg.ca.
  • Interact and participate in meaningful activities that your love one enjoys e.g. Read a book, newspaper, play an interactive game, listen to music or watch an old familiar show.
  • Visit with a family pet. Please ensure pets are vaccinated and leashed and that you follow SJHCG’s Pet Visiting Policy for the safety and comfort of all residents.
  • Take a walk outside in one of the gardens or around the grounds.
  • Support and attend Family Council. Your voice and experience will help SJHCG make improvements, which will help all residents.
  • Volunteer and assist.

Visiting a Hospital Patient (Complex Continuing Care, Palliative Care and Rehabilitation)

Visiting inside the Health Centre

Please note the following rules:

  • Visitors must complete passive screening before entering.
  • Visitors must follow all policies and precautions in place.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when visiting someone who is in isolation or symptomatic and nursing staff will educate the visitors on requirements. Check with a staff member before entering a patient room if there is an isolation sign on the door.
  • Visitors younger than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. They must follow all policies and precautions in place

Day Passes:

Hospital patients are able to leave the facility for short absences (less than 12 hours). Prior to making arrangements for a day pass, please discuss this with your healthcare team to be sure it is safe from a medical perspective.

Temporary absences will be allowed as appropriate. Patients may leave the hospital for a temporary absence for one or more nights if it aligns with their treatment plan (i.e. for discharge planning).

Patients should wear the mask provided by St. Joseph’s while in any public areas during their leave.

Visiting Outdoors at the Health Centre – Weather Permitting

There is no limit to how many people may visit at a time with one patient outdoors.

We strongly recommend that visitors visiting outdoors complete passive screening.

Masks provided by SJHCG are recommended at all times when visiting outdoors.