Visiting a Patient

Visits from family and friends are essential to a patient's recovery.  At Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, we want to ensure that the time you spend visiting is not only enjoyable, but also safe and comfortable for all of our patients.  Outside of a pandemic or outbreak, MAHC is proud to foster patient- and family-centered with our Family Presence Policy, which allows visiting 24 hours a day, seven days a week according to patient wishes. 

Please do not visit if you feel unwell in any way, but especially if you have a cough, fever, respiratory infection or diarrhea. Do not visit if you have come into contact with anyone who has an infectious disease. We discourage you from bringing young children and infants to visit.

Visiting Requirements

Subject to outbreak protocols that may be implemented from time to time, inpatients may have two (2) visitors per day during the visiting hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Visiting may commence after the inpatient has received a negative COVID-19 swab result, if a swab is required.

To ensure everyone’s safety, visitors must abide by the following visiting requirements to reduce risks associated with COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:

1. Self-screen for symptoms of infection including cough, fever (37.8° or greater) and/or chills, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, sore throat, decrease or loss of sense of taste and/or smell, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, headaches, unexplained fatigue or muscle aches, new rash
2. Wear a hospital provided mask in patient care areas, and while visiting a loved one
3. Clean hands often to reduce the risk of infection
4. Follow the additional precautions signage (if posted) outside of the patient’s room for any personal protection equipment requirements, such as a gown, and/or gloves
5. Respect visiting hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While masks are no longer mandatory, we strongly encourage visitors to wear masks in patient care areas to protect vulnerable patients. Masks are available at the entrances for those who choose to wear them.

Items Brought in From Home

Your comfort is extremely important.  Clean items to support your stay can be dropped off at the hospital entrance. Please ask your family member or friend to call the nursing unit in advance to arrange the drop-off time with the nurse.  We ask that items are placed in a clean container or clean plastic bag that can be wiped (i.e. not fabric).

Food Brought in From Home

If someone is bringing you food from home, please ask them to send a single serving size that is microwavable in a disposable container.  The container must be labelled with the patient name, item description, the date the food was prepared, and a best before date that is three days after preparation.

Scent- and Fragrance-Free

MAHC is a scent-free environment.  Please be kind to all of our patients by not wearing scented personal products (perfume, cologne, lotion, hairspray, etc.) and avoiding heavily-scented flowers.  Please use personal products that are scent-free and fragrance-free on the day of your visit.

Latex Balloons, Poinsettias and Lilies & Lilacs Prohibited

• MAHC is also latex free because of allergies. If you bring balloons, please make sure they are made of Mylar.
• The Poinsettia plant (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) belongs to the same plant family as the Brazilian rubber tree, from which latex is obtained.  Although they are beautiful to look at, Poinsettias are prohibited as they may cause severe reactions among people who have latex allergies.  If you are in hospital and have a latex allergy, please advise a member of your care team.
• As well, the Easter lily flower is prohibited in all areas of the hospital.  Its strong scent can cause rashes or difficulty breathing for those who have scent allergies.  Lilacs are also prohibited.

When Not to Visit

In some cases, patients with infectious illnesses may need to be moved into 'isolation' to protect their health, and that of others.  If you are in isolation, visitors will be required to follow isolation procedures when visiting.  Sometimes visiting restrictions may be necessary.  Your health care team and your visitors may need to wear masks, gowns and/or gloves.  Signage will be posted on the door of the room so that everyone is aware of what is required for safe care.  It is essential that all precautions and restrictions be followed.

Visiting a Patient Who is in Isolation

In some cases, patients with infectious illnesses may need to be moved into 'isolation' to protect their health, and that of others.  Visiting restrictions may be necessary if a patient is in isolation.  If you can visit, you may need to wear a mask, gown and/or gloves.  Signage will be posted on the door of the room so that everyone is aware of what is required for safe care.  It is essential that all precautions and restrictions be followed.  Please speak with the patient's health care professional to review the necessary precautions to be taken while visiting.  Please limit the number of visitors to the room and do not visit others in the hospital after your visit.  Leave belongings outside of the room and do not use the bathroom in the patient room.

Family Pets Can Visit

Family pets are permitted to visit in support of the emotional well being of patients.  Advanced notice is required and pets must meet specific guidelines to visit.  Please consult with a member of the care team if you wish to bring family pets into a patient care area.