Increased family presence/visitor restrictions in Saskatoon Acute Care Hospitals
Due to a substantial increase in COVID-19 transmission in Saskatoon and high levels of hospital admissions, all acute care hospitals in Saskatoon (Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital) family presence restrictions will move from Recovery Phase to Level 1 on Friday, September 10th at 8:00am. Hours of family presence will remain at 8:00am to 8:00pm.
The levels of family presence will continue to be reviewed in Saskatoon weekly and safety indicators will be closely monitored with the goal of returning to Recovery Phase family presence as soon as it is safe to do so.
At Level 1 family presence;
- Each patient can designate two consistent essential family/support persons. One person can be present at a time indoors.
- No limit on persons present at a time outdoors.
- More than two essential family/support persons can be designated for patient in these areas: intensive care; end-of-life or palliative care.
- Two essential family/support persons can be present at the same time in these areas: intensive care; maternal, postpartum and pediatric units; end-of-life or palliative care.
Everyone coming in to SHA hospitals will continue to be required to;
- Wear a medical grade face mask at all times while in the facility, even when in the patient’s room. Failure to wear a mask may result in being denied access to the facility.
- Answer the COVID-19 screening questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
- Be kind and respectful to everyone. Abusive language and actions will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the facility.
People coming in to SHA hospitals are also strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. In order to maintain safety for everyone, the above protocols will remain in place for the time being and will be regularly reviewed. It is only by working together that we can keep SHA facilities safe.
The decision to restrict family presence is not taken lightly. These measures are only activated temporarily in order to keep patients, family members/support persons, and health care workers safe at this time of elevated local COVID activity. Recovery family presence will resume as soon as possible.
More family presence information can be found on the SHA Website. For more specific details on levels of family presence, review the at-a-glance summary for acute care hospitals.