Visiting Policies
These visiting policies have been established to assist with the well being of the patients. The Hospital must ensure that the patient does not become overtired, or susceptible to infections, or that neighbouring patients are not unduly disturbed. In order to achieve this, the following visiting regulations are established.

Guiding Principles:

1. The policy should be patient focused.
2. It should be operationally friendly, meaning it supports a therapeutic environment, rather that impedes patient care functions that are of benefit to patients.
3. It should be congruent with infection control practices.
4. The hours for visiting should have some consistency across the different patient care areas although there will have to be individualization for specialty areas and for individual patients under exceptional circumstances. i.e. Palliative Care
5. It should emphasize that individuals who are ill themselves should not visit patients.
6. There should also be a statement reminding visitors that patient care areas are 'quiet zones' and to respect patients' room mates need for privacy and rest.
7. An adult must accompany all children. The child and adult 'count' as one visitor.

Visiting Policies:

1. All persons entering the Hospital must review the health questionnaire and follow directives.
2. Visiting hours in all areas (please see exceptions) are daily between 14:00 to 20:30 hours (2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
3. The maximum number of visitors at any one time will be 2 visitors per patient. All children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
4. Children are discouraged from visiting.

Visitation is NOT permitted if the child has any of the following:

• Fever
• Rash
• Upper respiratory tract infection (sore throat, coughing, sneezing, running nose)
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• A history of recent contract with someone who has a transmissible disease.
• Unvaccinated children who have not yet had chickenpox and who have been exposed to chickenpox are not allowed to visit for a period of 3 weeks post-exposure.

Visiting children are to remain under the supervision of a parent or guardian, and must remain in the patient’s room or in the visitor’s lounge while in the patient care area.

1. Obstetrical Unit, there is a maximum of two visitors at any one time with the following limits. During the pre-delivery time (during labour and delivery), this is limited to a partner and a support person. In the post-partum period, the maximum of 2 visitors per patient will still apply, but will include immediate family members only, i.e. partner of mother, grandparents of the newborn, and siblings of the newborn. They may hold the baby after appropriate hand washing. Partners may visit at any time, but if it is after the normal posted visiting hours, they shall report to the switchboard first, to notify them that they are visiting and also when they leave.
2. In ICU visiting hours will be from 14:30 to 16:30 hours (2:30 to 4:30 p.m.) and from 18:30 to 20:30 hours (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Visiting will be restricted to immediate family only, i.e. spouse, parents, son, daughter, brother and sister. There will be a maximum number of 2 visitors at any one time. The maximum number of visitors in a 24-hour period will be a total of 4 visitors per patient. Visits shall be kept short to ensure adequate patient rest.
3. Palliative patients may have 2 visitors at a time, although some flexibility will be applied in extraordinary circumstances, such as when a patient is very close to death. The visiting hours and length of visit will be unlimited. The physician must designate a palliative patient as 'palliative' with a written order in the patients' chart.
4. Emergency, Outpatients, Diagnostic Imaging, Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Oncology or Dialysis Departments: One (1) visitor will be allowed to accompany the patient to their appointment. Patients will be encouraged to make alternate arrangements for the non-patient child in the case of speech therapy.
5. Infectious or Isolated Patients: All visitors are required to sign-in and provide their name and telephone number. All visitors are required to follow the isolation techniques set out for the patient they are visiting and follow hand washing procedures. For many of the infections visitors will be expected to wear a gown and/or mask. There will be only one (1) visitor at one time and a maximum of 2 visitors per day. It will be the patients' decision to designate who these visitors will be. A minimum age of 16 years will apply to isolated or infectious patients.
6. 'Special Circumstances' may be determined in consultation with the patient, nursing staff, Nursing Coordinator, Unit Manager and the Vice-President of Patient Care Services.

Anyone visiting under ‘special circumstances’ after the posted visiting hours shall report to the switchboard to sign in and out of the Hospital.

All visitors shall be infection-free. You should NOT visit if you:

• Are feeling unwell
• Have a fever
• Have an upper respiratory tract infection (sore throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose)
• Are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Visitors must consult with the nurse prior to visiting if they have been recently exposed to a transmissible disease such as chickenpox

In an effort to promote health, Renfrew Victoria Hospital promotes a smoke-free environment.

Some of our patients and staff are severely allergic to latex; others are allergic to scented body products (i.e. cologne, lotions, etc.). For their health and safety, please refrain from bringing latex balloons to the hospital, and from wearing scented body products when visiting the hospital.

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