HDGH Patient Visitation Plan
This Patient
Visitation Plan will
be implemented slowly and in phases to ensure that our organization maintains
the health and safety of our patients, visitors, staff, and physicians. Please note HDGH is continuously assessing the evolution of COVID-19 at HDGH and in the community.
Definitions:
Coordinated Care Plan: The Coordinated Care Program (CCP) is a program that enables trained Designated Care Partners (DCP) to provide specific aspects of the care plan to a patient within a defined period of time. Care that is being provided will be documented by staff as being carried out by the DCP in the clinical record. The DCP will be trained to perform the care that is being documented and will be accountable to the DCP contract.
Designated Care Partner:
A Designated Care Partner or DCP
is any person that the
patient and/or substitute decision-maker (SDM) identifies. The patient and DCP works with the health care team to define how they will be involved in care,
care planning, and decision-making. In the absence of the patient’s ability to
assign a DCP, reference will be made to the Hierarchy of SDMs in the Health
Care Consent Act, s.21.3 A DCP is not an alternative
to or synonymous with a patient visitor. Therefor not intended or designed to be in lieu of patient visitor
policy or processes.
Patients who require DCP at HDGH have been identified as:
- Those who are planning for discharge whereby a DCP is required for health teaching,
- Patients who have language barriers; patients who are non-verbal;
patients with cognitive, emotional and/or physical disabilities as these
patients may have the inability to understand the pandemic and the reason
why visitation is limited.
Current
Visitation Stage:
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PHASE 2: Stage 1 - RESTART
This Phase will take
a careful stage by stage approach to loosen the visitation restrictions while
ensuring safety for patients and staff as the main priority. Phase 2 will consist of 3 Stages that will
be monitored and reevaluated prior to progressing to the next stage.
|
Guidelines
for CMC, Rehab and TNI: (Adapted from BC Ministry of
Health, Infection Prevention and Control for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), May
19, 2020)
·
In
accordance with public health guidelines for COVID-19, care partners will
continue to be restricted to coordinated visits only.
·
HDGH staff will determine if a coordinated visit is necessary in
collaboration with patients, HDGH patient advocate and/or SDM
·
The Coordinated Care Policy can be viewed by clicking here
· Orders from the Provincial Health Officer or a Medical Health Officer
take precedent over this policy
·
DCPs will be screened for signs and symptoms of illness, including
COVID-19, prior to every entry into the hospital
o Screening Tool
·
DCP with signs or symptoms of illness, as well as those in
self-isolation or quarantine, shall not be granted entry
o Current Symptoms
·
DCP must be physically, cognitively, emotionally able to provide the
care elements identified.
·
Prior to participation in coordinated patient care, it will be mandatory
for all DCPs to attend education and orientation
·
All DCPs will be required to wear picture identification for the
duration of their time in the hospital – this ID is not transferrable to other
family members.
o You can submit your photo online through the form below or your photo will be taken during your education session.
·
DCP will be required to sign a contract that identifies the education has been provided, attestation that the DCP will adhere to all the
standards outlined in the contract. Violations of the contract may result in cancellation of the Coordinated
Care Program for this DCP and patient.
Palliative
Visitation
Visitation will continue
to be available to only those patients who require end-of-life (palliative)
care. These patients who are actively dying as defined
by the clinical team may have two (2)
visitors present at any given time. Visitors must adhere to the visitor restrictions listed below:
- Visitors will answer screening
questions at the main entrance prior to entering the facility (if
screening failed then entry is denied)
- No Children under the age of 18
(unless accompanied by an adult)
- All visitors must wear a
surgical mask
- All visitors will be restricted
to visitation in the patient's room with no access to any common area
In an effort to
support patients and families connectedness virtual patient (Technology
supported) and courtyard visitation set up when possible.
Protocol for
visiting palliative patient in enhanced precautions:
·
Restricted to one (1) person
per 24 hour period.
·
Visitor will be required to wear all appropriate PPE (Gloves, Gown, Face
shield, and Surgical mask).
·
Visitor will be instructed by staff about appropriate PPE and IPAC
standards to be observed during visiting as well as donning and doffing
procedures.
·
Visitation is reserved for patients in their last days and does not
extend beyond the single approved visitor for the day.
For patients
who do not require coordinated care or palliative visitation, virtual
visitation is strongly encouraged and will be supported.
Outpatient
Care Visits
At this point some outpatient programs
have begun operating with face to face visits on campus.
Patients who require family member present
for their care needs to be met will be allowed one (1) designated care partner. Given the episodic nature of outpatient services the DCP in these
instances may change from visit to visit. The expectation is that the DCP attending the visit will adhere to all
IPAC standards and follow all instruction given by staff. It is expected that only a small number of
patients (eg. Very frail/elderly, patient with dementia, person who is
non-verbal or severely disabled) require a family member to be present for HDGH
staff to provide care in these circumstances.