LHSC loosens hospital visitor policy citing lower local COVID-19 transmission

COVID-19 transmission as a factor.Officials with the organization say that starting Monday, care partners will no longer be asked to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or have to register upon entering the hospital.Two care partners at a time are now permitted for inpatients at University and Victoria hospitals, while one care partner is now permitted for outpatients, however officials note that waiting space is limited.While proof of vaccination is no longer required for care partners, officials say screening for COVID-19 symptoms is continuing at entrances, and visitors are still required to mask up and perform proper hand hygiene.As well, LHSC officials say that care partners are still not allowed to eat or drink while in the room of the patient they are visiting in order to ensure mask wearing. ‘We are absolutely destroyed’: Health workers facing burnout, even as COVID levels ease The changes are a notable contrast to the organization’s previous, more restrictive visitor policy.“It was only under extreme circumstances, actually, where caregivers were allowed in, and that was often a parent of a child, or if their loved one was actively passing, which was horrible and extremely distressing, we know,” said Cathy Vandersluis, LHSC executive vice president and interim chief clinical officer.“Recently we have been able to have caregivers present for inpatients, but it’s only been one at a time and needed to be on an approved list.”A care partner is considered to be someone who is important to the patient receiving care, Vandersluis said, stressing that LHSC won’t be in a position to define that for patients.“It really is meant to be people that the patients themselves see as important to their care experience at the.