Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay has announced two additional measures to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees due to rising COVID-19 cases in Kawartha Lakes.
Effective Wednesday (January 6), the hospital will change its visitor guidelines from one visitor per patient per day, to one designated visitor per patient with one visit per day. This means that each patient may select only one person as their designated visitor, and that person can only visit the patient once per day.
Effective Thursday (January 7), the hospital will supply medical-grade masks for all patients and visitors. Patients and visitors should continue to wear their own cloth mask upon entering the hospital, when they will be given a new medical-grade mask at the screening station. This mask must be worn over the nose and mouth throughout the visit.
The hospital continues to provide in-person appointments for most of its care programs, while other programs are conducted virtually. Patients whose appointments change will be contacted by their care provider or clinic. The hospital’s surgical program has added additional days to their schedule to continue to address the backlog created by the earlier shutdown.
Currently, the hospital has three patients who have been admitted with COVID-19. These patients are in isolation, with staff continuing to follow appropriate safety measures for the care of these and all patients, including appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Ross Memorial Hospital has seen a significant decrease in visits to the emergency department, and urges people to not wait to seek emergency care.
“We’re here for you,” says Kelly Isfan, the hospital’s president and CEO. “We don’t want you to delay a hospital visit if you need care.”
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should visit the emergency department:
- Seizure or convulsions.
- A broken bone or wound requiring stitches.
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Abdominal pain.
- Confusion and disorientation.
- Stiff neck and sensitivity to light.
- Continuous vomiting or severe diarrhea with signs of dehydration.
- Sudden severe headache, weakness, vision problems, numbness/tingling, trouble speaking, dizziness.
In addition, any infant under three months of age who has a fever over 38.5°C (101°F) or who has a fever and is difficult to wake should be seen at the emergency department.
Visitors to the emergency department should come alone, unless a support person is essential (for palliative patients, critically ill, children under the age of 18, or those with cognitive impairments).
For the latest information about Ross Memorial Hospital visitor guidelines, COVID-19 testing, and COVID-19 activity, visit www.rmh.org/covid-19.
