Pandemic Response Unit

Home/Programs & Services/Pandemic Response Unit

Quick Links

Intense pressures on hospitals providing COVID-19 care across the region have prompted activation of the Pandemic Response Unit (PRU) located at Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH).

Pandemic Response Unit

The Pandemic Response Unit (PRU) is a key component of the regional strategy developed by HNHBB hospitals to meet the rising demand for COVID-19, while minimizing potential disruptions to scheduled and community care.

The strategy is being led by the HNHBB Hospital Incident Management Structure (IMS) team, which includes representation from all regional hospitals.

Hamilton Health Sciences
Joseph Brant Hospital
Niagara Health
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

Norfolk General Hospital and Brant Community Healthcare System continue to provide local COVID-19 care, and may transfer COVID-19 positive patients as needed to designated hospitals.

All hospital emergency departments in the region continue to support and provide care for persons under investigation for COVID-19. Patients who do not require hospitalization will be discharged and receive follow-up care as determined by their health care team.

Patients whose conditions are stable, but require medical support, may also receive care in the Pandemic Response Unit at JBH.

Information for Patients & Essential Caregivers

About the Pandemic Response Unit
Transferring to the Pandemic Response Unit
What to bring
What not to bring
Your health care team
Caregiver/Support Person (Visitors)
Contact
Information for Patients & Essential Caregivers handbook

About the Pandemic Response Unit (PRU)

73-bed fully functioning field hospital located at Joseph Brant Hospital

The PRU is 73-bed fully functioning four season field hospital for COVID-19 positive patients who are medically stable, with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
There are three team stations where your care team will work from.
Each patient area is equipped with a standard hospital bed, a portable laptop table, dimmable lights, a call bell, power and USB outlets. Your patient bay has three walls, and is open at the top. While there are no bedside patient entertainment units or bedside telephones, there is free WiFi for you to connect to using your own personal device.
Meals will be delivered to your bedside, with dietary restrictions accommodated. Drinks can be accessed throughout the day.
There are 8 toilets, and 2 barrier-free showers and commode chairs available, if required.
Rigorous cleaning protocols are performed in PRU by our skilled Environmental Services team, using the same process and protocols followed in the hospital's inpatient units.

Transfer to the Regional Pandemic Response Unit

Any transfers to the PRU will be determined based on care needs and in consultation with patients and their families.
The PRU is located on the JBH campus on the main hospital level and connected to the South Tower by a covered tunnel .
Early planning for transportation upon discharge is strongly encouraged for patients being transferred to the PRU.

What to bring

Shoes that fit well or non-skid slippers.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, razor, comb, hair brush, scent-free lotion and other personal care items.
Eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and cases.
Denture cup and supplies.
Mobile device and charger.
Book or reading material.

What not to bring

Storage for personal belongings is limited so please ensure you only bring the necessities.
Please don’t keep money or valuables, like jewelry, in your room.
We suggest you keep no more than $5 in your room and send valuables home with loved ones. JBH is not responsible for lost personal belongings.
Electric personal care items (other than a hairdryer or electric razor).
JBH is a smoke free campus – do not bring cigarettes, or any form of tobacco.

Your health care team

Your healthcare team while in the PRU is no different than any other hospital unit. It consists of:

Physicians
Registered nurses
Registered practical nurses
Patient care assistants
Home & community care coordinator
Infection prevention & control
Dietitians
Pharmacists Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Social worker
Respiratory therapist
Speech language pathologist
Unit clerks
Spiritual care

Each member has a specific role to play to ensure seamless integration of care and together, they strive to provide exceptional care to each patient and family.

Caregiver/Support Person

Visitor Policy

All hospitals across the region have adjusted visitor policies due to the pandemic. At the current time, each patient can designate two people to visit with only one caregiver/support person permitted on site at any given time.

All visitors enter at the South Tower main entrance. There, they will be screened, given a mask and directions to the PRU. Please note due to the evolving nature of COVID-19, visitor rules may change quickly with little notice. Please note, there is limited space inside each patient room.