Patients and Visitors Required to Wear Masks at Joseph Brant Hospital

On June 29, 2020, Joseph Brant Hospital began to gradually welcome visitors back to our hospital. Our patient and visitor policy strongly encouraged, rather than mandated, that patients and visitors bring masks from home and wear them in the hospital. Masks are also offered by the hospital to patients and visitors.

We are committed to continuously reviewing our policies to ensure that we are always aligned with emerging and new best practices, that we are basing our policies on the latest evidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in our region, as well as the needs of our community. We are also committed to developing regional approaches to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

In alignment with this approach, we have reviewed our patient and visitor policy and considered a number of factors:

• There has been 100% masking compliance by all patients and visitors to JBH since June 29, and we are proud of our visitors and patients who have made this ongoing commitment to everyone’s safety.
• Similarly, we have seen very low transmission rates in Burlington, Halton Region and the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) region. As of July 8, Burlington has only 9 active cases of COVID-19 and no institutional outbreaks.
• In reviewing our masking policy, we have also considered the policies of other hospitals in the HNHB region, many of which are requiring patients and visitors to wear masks while in hospital.

While our hospital remains a very safe environment, we want to provide the highest level of safety possible for patients, visitors, staff, physicians and learners. Everyone’s health and safety is our No. 1 priority.

Acknowledging the importance of remaining safe within the community, and in support of our community’s continued vigilance during this pandemic, we are updating our policy and effective immediately, all patients and visitors to JBH will be required to wear masks while in the hospital. We encourage patients and visitors to bring a mask with them from home when they come to hospital. However, if one does not have a mask, a mask will be provided by the hospital.

This approach is consistent with our partner hospitals in the HNHB geography that includes JBH, and reflects our commitment to supporting our community. We want to assure everyone that we are committed to providing the highest level of safety possible here at JBH.

There are many safety measures in place at JBH that are equally important in protecting everyone’s health and safety. In addition to wearing masks, all patients and visitors must pass through active screening prior to entering the hospital, and follow our guidelines during their stay, such as frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distancing, and limiting travel within the building. Visitors who are unwell are to stay home and will not be permitted access to the hospital.

We have and will continue to work our partners to ensure that we are doing everything possible to protect everyone’s health and safety. If you have a concern about our policy, please contact Patient Relations at patientrelations@josephbranthospital.ca or 905-632-3737 ext. 4949.

More Information

-       For more information about what we are doing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to www.josephbranthospital.ca/COVID-19