News Releases - 2003
April 17, 2003
Attention News/Health Editors
West Park Healthcare Centre SARS
Precautions: Update
TORONTO - While other health care facilities may have adjusted visitor
policies during the current outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS), West Park Healthcare Centre would like to advise the community
that it is maintaining its no visitor policy for rehabilitation and
complex continuing care patients until at least April 23.
Because staff who worked on the SARS unit at West Park continue to
remain on home quarantine until April 22, the centre believes it is
prudent to continue its visitor restrictions in its Main building
at this time.
The health and safety of West Park patients, residents, staff
and physicians remains West Park's first concern. This is deeply
disappointing news for everyone but we must be vigilant in our efforts
to control the spread of SARS. On April 22, we will re-assess our
situation and provide an update. Visitors should check our SARS Hotline
at 416-243-3600 or our website at www.westpark.org and visit
the Visitor Update before coming
to the centre.
However, West Park Long Term Care Centre, which is located
on the same campus, will begin to follow new procedures as of April
16th. Because it has remained classified as Category O facility
by the Provincial Operations Centre throughout the SARS emergency,
the long-term care centre will permit one designated visitor per
resident daily between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and noon and 6:00 p.m.
and 8:00 p.m. as of April 16th. We are strictly enforcing this visitor
policy.
Visitors will be required to sign in, complete the contact log and
SARS symptom evaluation screening, and, if they pass the screening,
follow all mandated infection control precautions and go directly
to the resident's room. Visitors will be able to circulate with
the resident's home area but will not be permitted to visit other
areas of the facility or to access the Ruddy or Main buildings.
West Park is committed to making the health and safety of its patients,
staff and physicians its first priority. The media's assistance in
conveying these messages is appreciated.
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