The safety of our patients must remain our top priority, particularly during the era of the COVID-19 virus. However, research has proven that time spent with a loved one is vital to a patient’s recovery and well-being. See our visiting page before coming to hospital.
It's best to take some time to prepare for your overnight stay at Brockville General Hospital. If you're getting ready to leave the hospital, view our discharge guides.
Items to bring with you
You should always have your contact information available, your Ontario Health Card, your medication, medication instructions, any additional health coverage and insurance information, if needed. Always wear clothing that's comfortable.
We know it is very difficult to be separated from your loved ones anytime, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate that you may want to deliver items, too. Unfortunately, staff at Brockville General Hospital (BGH) are only able to assist with distributing essential items at this time.
Personal care items
To ensure that you're comfortable during your overnight stay, bring a few of your toiletries, including your:
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Books or reading material can also help make your stay more enjoyable.
Electronic items
Please notify our health care team when using any electronic items overnight as they may affect medical equipment or pose as a distraction to other patients or staff. This may include cell phones, tablets, radios or televisions.
Visitors and patients may not use wireless communication devices in critical care areas or within one metre of medical monitoring/controlling devices. You may use electronic or wireless devices in non-critical care areas like lobbies, main entrances, waiting areas and most nursing units. Please check with staff before using an electronic device.
Do not bring
Do not bring any valuables (jewellery, money) or decorative items from your home. Hospital staff are not responsible for the safekeeping of personal items.
Do not visit if you are sick
If you're planning a visit to the hospital, please delay your visit until your symptoms go away.
Symptoms
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms of illness, please do not visit the hospital:
- Cough
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
If you're a patient and you're experiencing these symptoms, tell a member of your care team right away.
Prevent the spread of infection
You may see a sign posted on the door of a patient's room letting you know that we're taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of infection to other patients, visitors and staff.
Protective equipment
If you see one of these signs on the door to a room of a patient you want to visit, ask a health care provider to help you find the proper protective equipment before you enter.
Protective equipment can include:
- Gloves,
- Gown,
- Mask, and
- Eye protection.
You'll need to put the proper protective equipment on before going inside. Make sure that you clean your hands after removing the protective equipment before you leave the room.
Hand hygiene
Cleaning your hands is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection. We have alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers throughout the hospital. You should use them frequently or wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Perfume and latex allergies
For the safety of patients and staff, do not use perfumes, colognes or other perfumed products inside or when entering the hospital. Do not bring latex balloons because they can cause allergic reactions. They are not allowed in the hospital. Mylar balloons are acceptable as they are non-allergenic.
Smoking
Our hospital is a smoke-free facility. This means smoking is not permitted anywhere on hospital property, including vehicles parked on BGH grounds.
BGH offers a number of smoking cessation supports in place for patients, including nicotine replacement therapy. If you know of a patient who would like support to quit smoking, please speak with a member of their health-care team.
Fire safety
If the fire alarm sounds, remain calm. Our staff will assist you as needed during the fire event. The hospital carries out regular fire drills and we train all our staff to deal with emergencies.
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