Visitor Precautions

Visitor precautions are a series of  infection control measures put in place to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases which are common in health care facilities. They are designed to help keep residents, families, staff and visitors healthy and safe.

At times, a health care facility may need to implement visitor precautions if they are experiencing an increase of flu-like or gastrointestinal illness amongst patients or residents. During visitor precautions, visitation is limited to one immediate family member and children  under 14 are not permitted to visit.

At times, a health care facility may need to take further  measures and implement visitor restrictions. This means that individuals should refrain from visiting the facility when  possible and immediate family should contact the facility before visiting.

Help reduce the spread of illness

Visitors can help reduce the spread of illness by doing the following:

-  Do not visit if you are ill.
-  Clean your hands before entering a room and after visiting your loved ones.
-  Limit your visit to only one patient/resident
-  Wear protective equipment, such as masks, gown and gloves for the duration of the visit, if required. Nursing staff will advise which equipment is required, how to properly apply and remove it.

Please do NOT visit any health care facility if you feel ill or are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

For the purpose of visitation to Western Health facilities, immediate family would include a mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, next of kin or "significant other" as indicated by the patient or resident. In the case where there is no family, a friend can be identified by the patient or resident to visit. Patients and residents may also identify a care provider as approved by the site management.