Covid-19 update for RHC

5 June 2020

Across Canada, the risk COVID-19 poses in health care facilities is clear. Efforts to prevent, quickly identify and contain “outbreaks” of COVID-19 are vital to protecting populations that are most vulnerable to serious outcomes from this virus. To date, Manitobans’ efforts have been effective in prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks in our hospitals. Within hospitals and other health care facilities visitor restrictions, enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfecting practices, daily staff screening before staff enter the workplace, adherence to provincial personal protective equipment requirements and the implementation of a single-site PCH staffing model have been sequential and escalating steps in Manitoba’s response to COVID-19 within the province. An additional precaution Riverview Health Centre has undertaken, has been the laundering of our patients’ personal clothing on-site.

Each preventive measure has involved significant consideration of the impact it would have on your loved ones.

We know that family and friends are vital to the overall health and well-being of hospital patients. Balancing necessary preventative measures with maintaining the important connections patients have with family members and support systems has been at the heart of every stage of our response. However, while preventing the spread of this virus within Manitoba’s health care facilities remains a top priority, the likelihood that COVID-19 will be a part of our ‘new normal’ for a longer duration requires us to find a longer-term balance between preventative measures and the many benefits of ongoing interaction between patients and their loved ones.

Given Manitoba’s current COVID-19 state, we are pleased to inform you that Manitoba’s COVID-19 response team led by Dr. Brent Roussin and Lanette Siragusa has now authorized limited visiting in Manitoba’s hospitals, including the Riverview Health Centre Hospital programs (including Palliative Care, Stroke & Brain Injury Rehab, Chronic Respiratory Care, and Long Term Ventilation). Effective Saturday, June 6, 2020 we will gradually begin implementation of visiting to our hospital patients, in line with Provincial Public Health Guidelines (please see the “What You Need to Know” guidelines, attached).

Please note there are no changes to our Personal Care Home outdoor visiting process at this time.

Although a big improvement, we know the newly authorized process remains more limited than we would all wish for. Therefore, in addition, we will continue to offer our alternate and virtual visits already in place: We have i-Pads for our patients to use for Skype/FaceTime virtual visits, phone calls, our e-Greeting program, and face to face visits via our Solarium windows. If interested, please call your loved one’s unit and they will assist to set these up.

In order to help us ensure that this new opportunity presents the best experience for you and your loved one, please review the attached “What you Need to Know” Guideline. Protecting the health and well-being of your loved ones and staff remains our top priority. Regular assessment by public health officials of the impact and evaluation of the need for adjusted visitor restrictions will continue as developments evolve. Therefore, visiting guidelines may be adjusted at any time based on pandemic protocols and provincial direction.

Once again, thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we take every measure to protect you, your loved ones and our staff. We look forward to welcoming you for these visits!

Sincerely,

RHC Leadership Team Dear PCH Resident Families

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