Who Can Visit

Who are designated family/support persons?

Designated Family / Support Person are one or more individuals identified by the patient as an essential support, and who the patient wishes to be included in care planning and decision making. Patients must communicate any changes to their Designated Family / Support Person to the care team. 

Who are visitors?

A visitor is an individual who temporarily supports or socializes with the patient. They are not an essential partner in care planning and/or decision-making but may be involved at the patient’s request. Access for patient visitors may be limited. Contact the service area before coming to site to see if access for visitors is limited.

Before You Visit

Access limits:

Due to factors such as a COVID-19 outbreak, enhanced vulnerability of patients, or space constraints, some service areas may limit access to Designated Family / Support Person. The number of individuals able to be with a patient at the same time may also be limited. Contact the service area before arriving to see if access limits are in place.

Access requirements:

Keeping our sites and services safe for patients means all designated family/support persons and visitors must:

• Not come to the site if they are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness like a new cough, fever, sore throat, nausea or runny nose. Wait until all symptoms have resolved before coming to site. 
• Practice continuous masking and follow all precautions as directed by staff.
• Use hand sanitizer or wash your hands (referred to as hand hygiene) when entering and exiting the site, after using a washroom, and when entering or exiting the patient / resident’s room.
• Physically distance from anyone not from their household while at the site. This may limit the number of people who can be in an area (for example, at a patient's bedside) at one time.
• Always wear the support person / visitor ID that is provided to you.
• Minimize movement throughout the site to prevent transmission.

Masking

Everyone entering an AHS site shall be asked to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands (referred to as hand hygiene), will be provided with a mask, and informed of the requirement for continuous masking.

• Use of Masks Directive

N95 & KN95 Masks

Designated family/support persons and visitors may wear their own N95 or KN95 respirator when entering an AHS facility if it is clean, in good condition and does not have a valve. Masks with a valve are not intended for use in health care settings, as they allow the wearer’s exhaled droplets to escape. If you are wearing a mask with a valve, you will be required to change to an AHS mask. Anyone wearing their own N95 or KN95 are strongly recommended to follow the steps outlined in General Instructions for Putting on an N95 Respirator Mask or How to do a Seal Check for Disposable KN95 Respirators.

Additional Information

Indigenous Wellness: AHS understands the importance of traditional Indigenous practices and protocols and promote the involvement of AHS cultural helpers, traditional wellness counsellors, Indigenous health and hospital liaisons or designated community health representatives where possible. For a comprehensive list of Indigenous wellness services and contacts, see the Indigenous Health Webpage or ask the care team to connect you directly with someone from the Indigenous Health Program.

Patient Belongings, Gifts, Food and Flowers: Prior to bringing outside items to the site, check with the service area to confirm what is appropriate and how to bring items in safely. Delivery services cannot bring items inside to patients.

Off-Site Patient Passes: The suitability of an offsite patient/resident pass is to be collaboratively determined between the patient / resident, their designated family / support persons and the care team. Patients / residents may need to isolate upon return to the site if they have been exposed while out on a pass or if they become symptomatic.

Outdoor Visitation in Acute Care: The suitability of outdoor visitation is to be collaboratively determined between the patient / resident, their designated family / support persons and the care team. 

Parking: See details about parking or download the AHS parking app on the AHS Parking page.

Patient Passes: The suitability of an offsite patient/resident pass is to be collaboratively determined between the patient / resident, their designated family/support persons and the care team. Due to the risk of transmission, passes for COVID-19 positive or suspected patients/residents cannot be accommodated. Additionally, patients/residents who will be returning to a site may have to undergo quarantine and/or isolation upon return if they have been exposed while out on pass or become symptomatic.

Religious and Spiritual Support: We acknowledge the importance of access to religious and spiritual care providers when requested by patients. Speak with the care team or contact AHS Spiritual Care Services for information on what religious and spiritual care supports are available at the site.  

Feedback

If you want to thank a care team or share a health care concern, contact Patient Feedback. Whenever possible, first raise your concerns directly with the patient’s care team or ask to speak with their management as doing so may resolve issues more quickly.