Windsor, ON: At the end of August, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) launched a vaccinate or asymptomatic test policy that applies to Designated Care Partners (DCP) and Registered Visitors/Guests. As one of the largest healthcare providers in Windsor-Essex, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, physicians and all individuals entering the HDGH campus. As such, we have made the necessary decision to revise our Vaccination Policy for DCPs and Visitors/Guests.
Effective Monday, November 22, 2021 all DCPs and Visitors/Guests entering any HDGH location must provide proof of being fully vaccinated (evidencing 14 days have passed since their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine), along with a valid picture Health (OHIP) Card, or will be denied entry.
This means that proof of a negative PCR test result that was previously used by unvaccinated DCPs and Visitors/Guests to enter an HDGH building will no longer be accepted.
Exceptions to this policy will be made on a case by case basis.
Regardless of vaccination status all individuals entering HDGH will be required to wear hospital-provided PPE as directed by the hospital. No patient or client will be denied entry or care due to vaccination status.
“As a healthcare provider you have come to know and trust in Windsor-Essex, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, physicians and individuals entering the HDGH campus,” explains Janice Kaffer, President and CEO, HDGH. “Our staff and physicians have worked incredibly hard through this pandemic and together with vaccines, masking, testing and physical distancing, we can combat this virus but it takes each of us to do our part.”
The hospital is calling on all individuals to please be patient as this process rolls out. Screening of those entering the campus will remain in place with the addition of the vaccination receipt.
Additionally, HDGH will be lifting its previous restrictions that limited the number of guests a patient could have at the same time to two persons. Effective November 22nd, patients will not be limited on the number of guests visiting at any given time.
However, visiting hours will remain in place:
- Complex Medical Care and Inpatient Rehabilitation
- 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Palliative Care
- No time restrictions
- Toldo Neurobehavioural Institute – inpatient mental health
- 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday with an additional time from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Given hospitals are community congregate settings and patients may have underlying medical conditions, patients at HDGH are at increased risk for contracting the COVID-19 virus and experiencing serious outcomes. Throughout this pandemic, HDGH has and will continue to monitor the COVID-19 trends within the community. At any point in time, HDGH reserves the right to amend the vaccination policies, along with our visitation policies.
-30-
