Patients and Visitors

Emergency Department: One Visitor or Support Person Allowed at all times.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU): 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (see above for rules for palliative patients)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (parents/caregivers who are arm banded may stay 24 hours/day)

Paediatrics: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (one caregiver may sleep overnight)

Obstetrics: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (one visitor per patient overnight)

Adult Mental Health: Monday to Friday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Child and Youth Mental Health: 4 – 8 p.m.

With this return to 24/7 visiting hours, we will be ending the Essential Care Partner (ECP) program, along with the visitor exception process (unless required).

Before you enter the health centre, we ask that you follow these steps:

1. 1. In the last 10 days, have you had household or close contact with a person with COVID-19 symptoms, a confirmed case of COVID-19 OR a person with new onset of respiratory symptoms, including the patient that you are visiting?
      OR
      Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
      OR
      Has a doctor, healthcare provider or public health official told you to isolate at home?

1. 1. In the past 10 days have you experienced a new onset or worsening of any of these symptoms:
      – Fever/Chills
      – Cough or Barking Cough (Croup)
      – Extreme fatigue that is unusual
      – Sore throat
      – Vomiting or Diarrhea
      – Decrease or loss of taste or smell
      – Shortness of breath
      – Muscle aches / joint paint
      – Running, stuffy or congested nose
      – Unusual or long-lasting headache

1. 1. If you answered YES to any of the above questions:
      PATIENTS: Inform your care team of your situation immediately. If possible, please call your care team for specific instructions.
      VISITORS, CONTRACTORS OR VENDORS: Please reschedule your visit for another time and do not proceed any further or beyond this point.

1. 1. If you answered NO to the above questions:
      Please wash your hands and proceed to your destination.

Note: Patients attending an after-hour appointment at RVH should use the Atrium entrance.

Surgery patients: one support person per patient is permitted to accompany patients receiving a Surgical or Scope Procedure in the Operating Room and Endoscopy departments and for appointments in the Pre Surgery Treatment Clinic.

Operating Room and Endoscopy patients will utilize the Atrium entrance for drop off and pick up. The Simcoe Entrance will be utilized by patients whom have appointments in the Pre Surgery Treatment Clinic.

•  Two visitors per patient between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• One visitor (must be over the age of 16) per patient between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Visitors to use Atrium entrance only
• At the discretion of the care team, palliative patients have no limitations on visiting hours or number of visitors
• Visitors may be asked by the care team to leave at any time
• IPAC policies will be enforced

EXCEPTIONS include:

Emergency Department One visitor per patient

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (see above for rules for palliative patients)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (parents/caregivers who are arm banded may stay 24 hours/day)

Paediatrics 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (one caregiver may sleep overnight)

Adult Mental Health Monday to Friday 4 – 8 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Child and Youth Mental Health visiting hours: 4 – 8 p.m.

When coming to RVH there are four public entrances:

• Main
• Simcoe
• Atrium – Patients attending an after-hour appointment at RVH or visiting between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. are to use Atrium entrance.
• Emergency – urgent care only

Dial 705-728-9090 then enter the inpatient unit extension:

• 3SB Overflow: ext. 46244
• Adult Mental Health Inpatient: ext. 47250
• Cancer & Palliative Inpatient: ext. 43311
• Cardiac Care Unit (CCU): ext. 47660
• Cardiac & Renal: ext.46111
• Child & Youth Mental Health Inpatient: ext. 47222
• Integrated Stroke & Rehabilitation Inpatient Unit: ext. 47350
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU): ext. 47620
• Regional Pandemic Response Unit: ext.44922
• Respiratory Inpatient: ext. 48220
• Specialized Seniors Care: ext. 47330
• Surgery 2 Inpatient: ext. 46888
• Surgery 3 Inpatient: ext. 46440
• Transitional Care Inpatient Unit: ext. 48266

Virtual Appointments

Your care team may contact you to book an upcoming appointment or follow-up as a virtual visit using secure, private, and confidential program called Microsoft Teams.

They will give you instructions on how to prepare and will let you know the day and time of your virtual visit as well as confirm they have your preferred contact information.

If you have been scheduled for a virtual appointment using Microsoft Teams, please view the resources below:

• Joining a virtual appointment – PDF or video
• Downloading Microsoft Teams – PDF

If you have a question about your virtual appointment, please contact the department your appointment is scheduled with.

Information desks are located at the Main, Atrium and Simcoe entrances. RVH volunteers are available at Information Desks to assist patients and visitors by providing directions or helping to locate patients.

Information Desk Volunteer Hours:

Hours are subject to change based on volunteer availability

Information Desk Locations

• Main entrance – Level 2
• Atrium entrance – Level 2
• Cancer program – Level 2
• Simcoe entrance – Level 1

RVH offers assistive equipment to accommodate our patients and visitors with reduced mobility. Please ask a volunteer at any information desk for assistance. They can help by providing you with:

Staxi chairs are available at the Main, Atrium and Simcoe (level 1) entrances.

The chair features a fail-safe braking system – the chair will only move when the brake is engaged by the person pushing the chair from behind. The patient can easily enter from the side and the height of the back of the chair is designed to afford the person pushing a comfortable position to engage the chair, reducing stress on their back.

Wheelchairs

Traditional wheelchairs are available at Information desks at the Main, Atrium and Simcoe (level 1) entrances for patients who require leg extensions, oxygen tank holders, IV pumps or the ability to navigate in the chairs by themselves.

Click here for more information

If you need assistance, please use the call bell beside your bed.  A staff member will answer your call as soon as possible.

RVH has a state-of-the-art fire system that provides the exact location for any smoke or fire situation within the facility. We have designated first responders who attend all fire situations to lead the emergency incident and ensure the safety of all. When you hear the fire alarm, it will always be followed by an announcement of a “Code Red” and the fire’s location. In the event of a Code Red, the doors of patient rooms will be closed to create a fire separation and the lights will be turned on. Further instruction will be provided if an area or the building needs to be evacuated.

When you are admitted to RVH, your care team will assess your risk of falling and determine what steps can be taken to prevent a fall while you are a patient. Falls can be caused by a variety of factors including walking or balance problems, some diseases (arthritis, osteoporosis), mental changes such as confusion or dementia, dizziness, change in position, medications and general weakness.

Here are some helpful tips to prevent falls:

• Always have your call bell within reach in case you need it
• Ask for a light to be left on at night
• Ask for assistance when getting out of bed – most falls occur when patients try to leave their bed on their own
•  Wipe up spills right away or ask for help if you are unable
• Ask for the brakes to be activated for any furniture that has wheels
• Don’t lean on the bedside tables as they are on wheels and will slide
• Arrange furniture so walking pathways are clear
• Make sure shoes fit properly and are non-slip
• Use a walker or cane (and have it checked for safety if you have concerns)
• Keep your room free of clutter
• Slow down and take your time when moving about your room
• Change positions slowly and take your time getting up
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects from medications
• Keep your eyeglasses within reach and wear them when possible
• Wear your hearing aids
• Get up and move everyday

Cleaning your hands is the simplest and most effective way to reduce the risk of getting an infection or passing germs to others. At RVH, we audit the hand hygiene compliance of our staff and physicians and post the information at entrances of the health centre, in common areas and on units/departments.

It is important that all members of your care team wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. We encourage you to ask members of your care team, ‘have you washed your hands?’

RVH has Infection Prevention & Control practitioners that work closely with your care providers to ensure your care is as safe as possible. 

When you register as a patient, you will be asked if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea. You will also be asked if you have ever had or come in contact with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL). This helps RVH make sure we place patients in the appropriate rooms and that we take precautions to decrease the risk of spreading infections throughout the health centre. 

In the event that you are experiencing symptoms, you may be placed on “precautions” (usually indicated by a sign posted on the patient room door indicating the precautions that should be taken when visiting this patient). This means that your care team, family and friends must wear personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves, gown, mask, visor) when in your room. Precautions help protect you and others from passing on infections.

Infection Protection and Control practitioners are available to speak with you and your family if you have questions about infection control or being on precautions. They can also provide you with resources and more information. We invite you to also watch the brief information video on your bedside entertainment system free of charge. 

Security operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure a healthy, safe environment for all patients, staff and visitors. Patient and visitors are encouraged to report any suspicious persons/vehicles, acts of theft, damage or unwanted behaviours to Security by dialing ‘0’.

All RVH staff, physicians, volunteers, and students wear an identification badge that provides you with their first name, position and photo identification. Please feel free to question any person providing care that is not displaying their photo identification badge on their left chest/shoulder.

RVH has zero tolerance for workplace violence, bullying or harassment and is committed to a workplace where the dignity and self-esteem of all persons – patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers – is respected.