MINDEMOYA—A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Mindemoya Hospital site of the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) as of October 21.
“Visitors will be restricted to designated care providers only,” reported Jacqueline Smith, occupational health/infection control nurse at MHC in a release. “Visitors will be restricted to designated care providers only. Please be diligent with wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) and cleaning your hands. Public health measures have been put in place. Admissions and transfers may be restricted, pending case-by-case consultation with public health.”
For the duration of the outbreak, “Masking is required for everyone in all areas (of the hospital). General visitors are restricted,” said Paula Ferguson, vice-president of clinical services and chief nursing officer of MHC.
Mr. Ferguson further explained, “Designated care providers (DCPs) are permitted. Generally, we would like to limit DCPs to two individuals per patient at one time but overall, there is no limit on the unique number of individuals who fill the DCP roll for patient(s).”
It was explained that DCPs are crucial members of the care team and provide essential physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support. DCPs are identified by the patient or substitute decision maker (SDM) and are usually family members or other persons of significance in the life of the patient. They work with the healthcare team to provide care, care planning and decision making.
Clergy and spiritual care providers are not subject to visitor restrictions as they are considered members of the care team. Cultural or spiritual practices will be honoured and enabled, said Ms. Ferguson. All DCPs must stop at the nursing station and be advised/reminded to sanitize hands and on the proper donning of a mask.
