Visitor Information

Patient and Visitor Masking

Effective May 15^th, HSN has introduced new masking policies that align with guidelines released by Public Health Ontario.

For patients/visitors/designated care partners: You are no longer required to wear a mask in public spaces including the cafeteria, lobbies and elevators, with the exception of high risk areas where masking remains a requirement.

Please see the table below to learn more about patient/visitor masking requirements:

	Patients	Visitors
High Risk Areas: Emergency Department Shirley and Jim Fielding Northeast Cancer Cente Oncology (4 North Tower) Intensive Care Unit (ICU, 3 Centre Tower) Nephrology Unit (9 North Tower) Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU, 3 Centre Tower) Cardiovascular Thoracic (3 Centre Tower) Cardiac Medical Unit (CMU, 5 North Tower)	Inpatient Units: required to wear a mask when leaving their room in high risk areas Outpatient Areas: required to wear a mask at all times in high risk areas	Required to wear a mask at all times in high risk areas, including while in patient rooms
Masking Required	Inpatient Units: patients who have COVID -19 symptoms as identified on signage upon entering the building must wear a mask in all areas of the hospital, with the exception of their room. Outpatient Areas: masks are required at all times for patients who have COVID-19 symptoms as identified on signage upon entering the building.	Inpatient Units: required at all times, while in patient rooms
Masking Not Required	Inpatient Units: not required unless patient has symptoms of COVID-19. Outpatient Areas: not required unless patient has symptoms of COVID-19 as identified on signage upon entering the building. Patients who pass COVID-19 screening as identified on signage upon entering the building are not required to mask in HSN public spaces.	Not required in HSN public spaces Not required in Outpatients areas, including waiting rooms and treatment rooms unless area has been identified as a high risk area (i.e. Emergency Department, Cancer Centre etc..)

.Masks will continue to be available for anyone that prefers to wear one in all settings.

View the list of units experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.

Please note the following important reminders for patients, Designated Care Partners and visitors when you arrive at the main entrance of the Ramsey Lake Health Centre:

Please review signs and symptoms of COVID-19 as identified on signage upon entering the building.
Eating or drinking is NOT permitted in patient rooms and only allowed in designated areas of the hospital (example: cafeteria).
Wash your hands when entering the building, frequently during your stay, and when leaving.
To visit a patient, you will be required to sign a visitor’s expectation sheet upon entering the unit confirming you understand these expectations.

* Please note that there may be specific unit or department level restrictions to hours and duration of visits, as each unit or department is unique with its physical layout and patient population. Adequate space for physical distancing and other safety practices are taken into consideration.

Visitor Guidelines Effective May 1, 2023

Type of Patient Visit	Number of Care Partners/Visitors Allowed Per Patient
Emergency Department	Two Designated Care Partners can accompany the patient.
General Outpatient Appointments: (All care not requiring an overnight hospital stay) *including the cancer centre	One Designated Care Partner can accompany the adult patient. Two Designated Care Partners for pediatric appointments.
Inpatient (including Amberwood): (Patients requiring an overnight hospital stay)	Two individuals (Designated Care Partners or Visitors) can be present at the bedside at the same time.
Child or Youth Patient under 18 years of age	Two individuals (Designated Care Partners or Visitors) can be present at the bedside at the same time.
Patients giving birth	Two individuals (Designated Care Partners or Visitors) can be present at the bedside at the same time.
End of Life (less than two weeks)	Two or more individuals (Designated Care Partners or Visitors) can be present at the bedside at the same time. Staff may restrict access when/where needed.
COVID-19 Probable/Positive Patient (Adult/Pediatric patients)	One Designated Care Partner/Visitor permitted with an alternate. One allowed at bedside at a time.
Units on COVID-19 Outbreak	One Designated Care Partner/Visitor permitted with an alternate. One allowed at bedside at a time. Restrictions may be applied depending on the status of the outbreak.

What is a designated care partner?

Designated Care Partners are more than visitors. They are crucial members of the care team and provide essential physical, emotional, social spiritual support and are defined as family members or other persons of significance in the life of the patient.

The designated care partner will be identified by the patient or through discussion between the healthcare team and family. They work with the patient and the healthcare team to ensure care, care planning and decision making are advocated for appropriately.

Visitors play an important social role for patients, however, they do not engage as active partners in care. They can be family members or other people of importance including children.

Contact information

If you have questions or concerns with any of the information above, please contact a member of you or your loved one’s care team by calling 705-523-7100 or 1-866-469-0822 and ask to speak with the Charge Nurse or Clinical Manager (or Manager on call if you are requiring assistance after business hours, on the weekend or on a statutory holiday).

If you still have questions or concerns that cannot be addressed by your care team, please contact Patient Relations at 705-523-7100 x 3737 or patientrelations@hsnsudbury.ca.

Address

Health Sciences North
Ramsey Lake Health Centre
41 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1

Phone: 705-523-7100