MEDIA RELEASE

March 17, 2020

The Englehart and Kirkland District Hospitals have been closely following the developments surrounding COVID-19 in preparation for the eventuality that the virus might impact our community. At this time, all of our emergency, acute and urgent care services continue.

We continue to make the safety of our patients and our staff a top priority, and are taking measures and precautions to limit risk and exposure at both hospital sites, including:

• Active screening assessments
• Visitor restrictions
• Review of elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures
• Reviewing Emergency Department priorities
• Out-Patient service changes

Active Screening Assessment

All visitors and out-patients presenting to the hospitals will be screened at the main entrances.

Visitor Restrictions

Inpatient Areas:

Visiting hours are restricted to 11am to 8pm.

Only identified family members/caregivers will be permitted to visit during regular visiting hours. Visitors are reminded to stay home if they are not feeling well. Visitors are encouraged to keep their visit short.

Family members/ caregivers under the age of 18 will not be permitted in inpatient areas except under special circumstances.

No visitors will be allowed in high risk areas, including patients in Isolation Rooms and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Exceptions will be made in situations involving trauma, and end of life.

Emergency Department:

Patients presenting to the Emergency Department are asked to not bring any visitors, if possible, with them to the hospital. This is to limit patient overcrowding in the Emergency Department.

Emergency Department focus will be on providing urgent care and handling of COVID-19 assessment volumes.

Exceptions will be made in situations involving trauma and urgent situations.

Out-Patient Areas:

One family member/caregiver (over the age of 18 years) can accompany the patient, if necessary. This includes visits to Diagnostic Imaging, Out-Patient Blood work and OTN.

Surgical Services:

Kirkland and District Hospital is reviewing all elective and non-urgent procedures for the Surgical Program. Any changes to current patient appointments will be communicated as necessary.

Emergency Department:

The Emergency Department at both hospital sites will no longer be issuing prescription renewals, physician’s notes for illness or return to work and interpretation of non-urgent test results. Please follow up with your health care provider.

Out-Patient Services:

Walk-in patient services are moving to a scheduled/ limited appointment based on need. The affected hospital departments include: Diagnostic Imaging, Out-Patient Bloodwork, OTN, and the Timiskaming Diabetes program. Please contact the respective department to arrange any necessary appointment.

If presenting to the hospital for one of the above services without a scheduled appointment, you we be asked to return home and contact the respective department to book an appointment.

The Dialysis and Oncology programs will continue to operate in the usual manner according to existing schedules.

Physiotherapy (EDH and KDH), Respiratory Therapy (KDH), Occupational Therapy (EDH) out-patient appointments have been cancelled and patients are being notified.

All patients will be screened prior to their appointments via telephone and when presenting in person. Any patients with flu-like symptoms are asked to not come to the hospital and to call to make other arrangements.