TBRHSC Restricted Visitation Update

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is noticing a gradual decline in patient pressures on the Emergency Department and in-patient admissions with a Febrile Respiratory Illness when compared to the peaks in activity in recent weeks. Therefore, visitor restrictions are being reduced as of 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009.

“We cannot thank the public enough for assisting us in dealing with the serious nature of this situation," said Ron Saddington, President and CEO at TBRHSC. “It is through the efforts of the community as a whole that we have been able to respond to this surge in patient care needs.”

Lori Marshall is the Vice President, Medicine, Cardiology, Mental Health and Maternal/Child Services. She cautions that "While we are encouraged by these trends, visitor restrictions will remain in place for patients in the Intensive Care Unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and for patients throughout the facility who may be in isolation. The purpose of the restriction is to ensure that the health and protection of our patients and staff members is maintained."

Kay Cranston, Infection Control Coordinator stresses “We request that individuals who are not feeling well delay their visit to a patient until they are feeling better.” Likewise, TBRHSC continues to discourage visiting by those under 18 at this time.

All public entrances will be re-opened and active screening will be maintained at the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit entrances.

The Health Sciences Centre is working very closely with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. People are reminded that hand-washing is the best defense against the spread of infection. The public are encouraged to be vaccinated.

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre thanks you for your co-operation, and will continue to provide updates on its website.

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