Visitor Precautions

What are visitor precautions?

 

Visitor precautions are a series of infection control measures put in place to reduce the spread of illness or infection diseases which are common in health care facilities. They are designed to help keep residents, families, staff and visitors healthy and safe.

 

At times, a health-care facility may need to implement visitor restrictions if they are experiencing an increase of flu-like or gastrointestinal illness among patients or residents. This means that individuals should refrain from visiting the facility when possible and immediate family should contact the facility before visiting.

 

Help reduce the spread of illness

 

Visitors can help reduce the spread of illness by doing the following:

• Do not visit if you are ill.

• Check with nursing staff before you visit.

• Clean your hands before entering and after visiting your loved ones. 

• Should you visit more than one resident at one visit, please ensure you take the necessary precautions. 

• Wear protective equipment, such as masks, gown and gloves for the duration of the visit, if required. Nursing staff will advise which equipment is required, how to properly apply and remove it.

 

Please do NOT visit any health care facility if you feel ill or are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Visitor precautions do not apply to family/friends visiting palliative care patients or residents. 

 

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Preventing the spread of infection

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To prevent the spread of infection, the public and all staff are advised to:

• wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer, if soap and water are not available

• cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your arms 

• avoid touching your face

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Masking 

• Masking recommendations for health-care facilities for the 2023-24 fall/winter respiratory season are as follows: 

• Masking is currently encouraged for visitors and support persons in all clinical settings, including while visiting patients and residents and in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments. 

• Additional masking protocols may be implemented if there is an outbreak at a facility; visitors/support persons should check with the care team in these situations for the required personal protective equipment. 

• NL Health Services will continue to monitor epidemiology, hospitalizations and outbreaks and masking guidelines will be re-evaluated March 31, 2024. 
   

Reminders:  

• Individuals who are seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) are required to wear a mask upon entry and while inside the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.  

• Visitors/support persons are also asked to consider the safety of those you are visiting. It can be especially important to wear a mask if you are around others who are at risk of more severe disease and outcomes, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults or young children. 

• Masks continue to be available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals can wear their own medical mask or a mask provided at the health-care facility. 

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Types of Precautions:

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Limited Precautions - the following regulations are in place:

• No children under 14 years of age are permitted to visit

• One visitor per patient/resident at a time

• Palliative care visitations will be determined in collaboration with the patient, family and care team

• Individuals requiring information about their loved ones are asked to phone the appropriate nursing unit

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Full Precautions:

• No visitation is permitted at this time

• Individuals requiring information about their loved ones are asked to phone the appropriate nursing unit

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Where are the current LIMITED visitor restrictions?