A: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre,
as a category "0" hospital with no know SARS cases,
is operating under relatively normal conditions. All elective
surgery, outpatient diagnostics and outpatient clinics are
providing full services. Patients who require acute care services
through the Emergency Department are seen and assessed as
per usual procedures. Following directives set out by the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, all patients are screened
on admission in the Emergency Department. Visitors are restricted
from entering the facility without a valid reason. All physicians,
staff and patients are screened before entering the hospital.
A: The screening process is a "safety net " to
ensure that we do not inadvertently bring undetected cases
of SARS into our hospital. Following directives set out by
the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, all patients are
screened on admission in the Emergency Department. All outpatients
are screened when they present at the front door of either
site of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centrel. We are
also screening all staff and physicians before allowing access
to the hospital.
A: Access to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
is restricted because of the SARS outbreak in Toronto. The
precautions that are in place are based on the directives
from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The directive
states that; " All persons entering the facility, including
healthcare workers and visitors, must have a valid reason
for entry and must complete a SARS screening tool." A
valid reason for entry is defined as "compassionate grounds"
such as:
Palliative care.
Parent of an admitted child.
Visiting a patient whose death may be imminent.
Attendance by a partner at delivery of a child.
A: There are several things that you can do to keep in close
contact with your family member/friend while visiting is restricted
at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
You are invited to call the patient and speak to the individual
directly. If you are not sure of the telephone number you
can call the main switchboard at 684-6000 and be connected
to the patient room, or to the Nursing Unit. You may send
cards or e-mail messages to your family member/friend. These
messages will be delivered to the patients daily. Instructions
on how to send e-mail (care-mail messages) will follow shortly.
You may send flowers to patients by calling any of the Florists
in the city. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has
given all Florists specific instructions regarding floral
deliveries.
Telehealth Ontario (24 hours a day, seven days a week) at 1-866-797-0000 to speak to a registered nurse
Visit the Ontario Ministry of Health Web site : www.health.gov.on.ca.
For more information, select from the list below:
SARS
Facts
SARS
Related Information
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