ORILLIA’S HOSPITAL RESTRICTS VISITORS, SURGERIES
ORILLIA — Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) has announced its visitor restrictions as COVID-19 spreads.
Effective Monday, it says the hospital will permit only one visitor per patient at any given time, with visiting hours reduced from 24 hours a day, back to designated hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
There will be some exceptions on compassionate or clinical grounds.
OSMH is now also actively screening all visitors and patients as they enter the hospital. Upon arrival, everyone will be asked specific questions by screeners before being permitted entry.
The hospital continues to advise visitors who feel unwell, but do not require care, to avoid coming to the hospital.
Those who do come to the hospital are reminded to wash their hands thoroughly as they enter and exit different areas.
In summary:
Visiting hours are restricted between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Visitors are limited to one per patient
If you don’t need to be at the hospital, please do not visit
Postponement of elective, non-urgent procedures:
To reduce non-essential visits to the hospital and as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, OSMH is postponing elective, non-urgent surgical procedures, effective Monday March 16, 2020. The hospital will be reaching out to patients to advise them of the postponement. All inpatient and outpatient services are being prioritized to ensure needed services are provided in a timely manner.
Open letter to the Community:
Today, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) has taken a number of steps in response to the global COVID-19 crisis. As detailed in our press release (insert link), here is a summary of our steps today:
Postponing non-urgent, elective activity such as procedures, surgeries, appointments and tests.
Restricting access to visitors
Screening everyone entering the hospital
This is not a decision we take lightly as we know it will have profound impact on a number of people who require health services at OSMH. But it is necessary and we need to act now.
To everyone whose procedures, tests and appointments were postponed, my apologies. I appreciate you may have waited a long time for your appointment, but our singular focus now is on our COVID-19 response. We will do everything we can to reschedule as soon as it is safe to do so
To visitors who are restricted from entering the hospital, rest assured our excellent, compassionate staff will continue to look after your loved ones. We need to reduce the traffic in our corridors for everyone’s safety with social distancing.
If you don’t need to be at the hospital, please stay away. For those that have to come to the hospital, your patience is greatly appreciated. It may take longer to enter the hospital due to our screening process. It is a stressful time for everyone, so please remember to be kind to each other.
We have made a commitment to our OSMH team and our community to maintain our service as long as we can, keep our team safe and supported and be as transparent as possible in our communication. We need the help of our community to be successful. Here are a few ways you can do your part:
Stay informed. Please review recommendations from experts at Public Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health frequently. New information is coming quickly and it is important that our community stays up to date on the latest recommendations.
Social distancing is difficult but critical. We only get one chance to slow the spread of COVID-19 and that time is now. To my local business owner friends and colleagues, this is going to be tough for a while. Hang in there. When it is over, we will not forget your ongoing support of our community.
Look out for each other in the community. There are a number of vulnerable individuals in the community that continue to need support. We need as many people as possible to remain healthy at home so our hospital and family doctors can focus on our response to COVID-19. Be safe and help a neighbour.
This is a pivotal time for our community and we will get through this together. The team at OSMH is unwavering in our commitment to Excellent Compassionate Care… Every Day now more than ever.
Regards,
Carmine Stumpo,
President & CEO, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Visitor and patient information:
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ministry of Health advise all travelers to monitor their health for fever, cough, and difficulty breathing for 14 days after arriving back in Canada. If symptoms develop within 14 days, returning travelers are directed to self-isolate as quickly as possible and immediately call their health care professionals or public health. Symptoms include a fever, new or worsening cough or difficulty breathing.
If you’re unsure:
Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a nurse, or
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 1-705-721-7520 weekdays or 1-877-721-7520 after-hours.
Be sure to mention your travel history
Where to go for more information
Ministry of Health
Coronavirus information page
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/
Orillia Soldiers’ MemorialHospital
www.osmh.on.ca/covid-19
Government of Canada
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/
World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
