erie shores healthcare in leamington is the latest hospital in the region to lessen the strictness of its covid-19 screening for visitors.
as of july 1, eshc will shift to a “passive” screening process at its entrances — meaning that visitors will review themselves for covid-19 signs rather than a hospital employee asking them.
people who are experiencing potential symptoms of covid-19 are asked to stay away from the site.
instead of hospital staff being at entrances, volunteers will be stationed there.
these volunteers will be available to answer questions about the policy adjustment, but will not screen visitors.
according to eshc, the new protocol acknowledges the “lower community spread” of covid-19 at this time. it mirrors an adjustment in the visitor protocol at windsor regional hospital facilities.
similarly, eshc is amending its policies concerning the number of designated caregivers a patient can have.
starting july 1, those in inpatient or intensive care units can name up to four people as caregivers.
those in emergency department beds can name two, and outpatients will be allowed one.
one caregiver is permitted at any patient’s bedside at a time.
eshc guidelines on personal protective equipment will not change july 1: masks must still be worn by everyone in all areas of the hospital.