Essential Care Partners

Stay home and stay safe. Book a video visit instead. 

Services offered Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. using Zoom. 

Essential care partner and visitor allowances

Updated May 5, 2022

We have updated our guidelines for ECPs in response to key public health and health system indicators continuing to improve. Our ECP guidelines are evolving and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure our commitment to quality and safe patient care.

For information related to Having a Baby, Neonatal Intensive Care or Paediatrics please click here.

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Requirements for entry in to the hospital

All ECPs must :

  • Wear a medical grade face mask while in hospital and follow all infection prevention and control (IPAC) guidelines.
  • Successfully complete COVID-19 screening assessment online or in person at the active screening station:
    •  Scan the QR code below with your phone, entering code JBH2022 & showing your screening pass to the active screening station (please note that self-screening is only valid for 2 hours), or
    •  As of May 5, 2022, JBH will not be denied entry to hospital based upon their vaccination status.
    • Children 18 years and under may now visit loved ones in hospital under adult supervision, while wearing a face mask, if two years or older and passing the COVID-19 screening.    

    • Those who fail screening will not be permitted entry, with very limited exceptions. 

ECPs can not come to the hospital if:

  • they have a fever, new or worsening cough, or any other symptoms of respiratory or other illness 
  • they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, or
  • they have had close contact in the last 10 days with a COVID-19 positive patient or a symptomatic patient under investigation. ECPs will be asked to identify an ECP who has not had close contact with the patient in the last 10 days.

In those cases, ECPs must inform the unit manager or other person in charge so that the hospital can perform contact tracing.

ECP allowances

Patients receiving outpatient care or services must come alone, with limited exceptions:

Ambulatory Care (Outpatient Clinics)

At this time, Ambulatory Care patients are permitted one (1) ECP to accompany them to an appointment.

Emergency Department

Non-admitted, Emergency Department patients are permitted to have two (2) ECPs identified, however only one (1) ECP can be at a patient’s side at any time.

Depending on the number of people in the Emergency Department and the ability to maintain social distancing, ECPs may be asked to leave temporarily.  

Inpatient Care

In inpatient areas, two (2) ECPs are allowed at the bedside at the same time, each day. This can include two adults or one adult and one child.

ECPs are responsible for coordinating their visits -- no more than 2 ECPs will be permitted to enter the hospital per day. Please plan ahead.

In-patient care for patients under 18: Two (2) Parents/legal guardians are permitted at the same time.

ECPs must stay in the patient room with their loved one for the duration of the visit. 

Surgery

ECPs may be permitted during your surgery—please speak with your health care team for full details.

Visiting hours 

  • Please note that the South Tower and Pedestrian Bridge entrances close at 9 p.m., 7 days a week. For entrance into the hospital after 9 p.m., please use our Emergency Department or North Tower entrance. See map.

  • Visiting hours are 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

  • Visitor screening closes at 7:30 p.m. and entry will not be permitted after this time.

  • Children 18 years and under may visit loved ones in hospital under adult supervision, while wearing a face mask, if two years or older and passing the COVID-19 screening.
  • All ECPs and visitors over the age of two (2) are required to wear a medical grade face mask while in hospital.

  • Be sure to sign in and out in the Log book (where applicable).    

Eating and drinking

ECPs are not permitted to eat or drink while in the patient room. Food and beverage must be consumed in designated areas of the hospital while ensuring social distancing. This includes the cafeteria.

If you are bringing in food or beverage for the patient, please ensure it is individually packaged. Do not share. Discard waste and leftovers immediately after consuming.  

Washrooms

ECPs are not permitted to use washrooms in patient rooms. Please use the public washroom on Level 1.

Personal items for patients

Approved personal items can be dropped off to screeners at the South Tower Main Entrance from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Please pack them in a clear plastic bag.

We will confirm the patient's name and room number on arrival, before delivery. 

Approved personal items

  • Books, magazines, puzzle books
  • Clean clothes 
  • Electronics: cellular phone, tablet
  • Medications
  • New unused toiletries 
  • New unused grooming items: toothbrush, comb, hair brush, and razor
  • Photos 

Unapproved personal items 

  • Decorative arrangements: balloons, edible and floral 
  • Food
  • Jewelry 
  • Vitamins, supplements and over the counter remedies

Video Visits

Wherever possible, families and loved ones are encouraged to connect with patients virtually. 

If you wish to arrange a video visit with a patient, please complete a video visit request form. A member of our team will work with you and the patient to facilitate the call. 

This service is provided Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. using Zoom. Appointments must be booked more than 24 hours in advance. All calls are limited to 20 minutes. Wherever possible, please try to meet as a group. 

Your visit may be cancelled or re-scheduled without notice due to patient deconditioning, care or refusal.  

We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Additional information

Keeping you connected

Wherever possible, patients are encouraged to connect with their loved ones by telephone or by video. To help keep you connected, we are offering free telephone and Wi-Fi to patients.

Sharing your feedback

Patients with concerns about our ECP policy are asked to share this information with their health care team so that they can work with you to meet your needs.  If further support is required, please contact Patient Relations. 

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