Due to COVID-19 pandemic, visitor restrictions are in effect. Read more here.
Families are a vital care partner to patients in their recovery. We recognize that family members, friends and loved ones play an important part of a patient’s care experience, and we encourage the involvement of family and loved ones during your stay. We are partners in care with you and your family.
At the beginning of a hospital experience or emergency room visit at Bluewater Health, patients are asked to define their ‘family’ and how they will be involved in care and decision-making. Patients identify who may be present during rounds, change of shift report, exams and procedures, and who may have access to written or electronic clinical information.
We do not view family as visitors. Bluewater Health supports family access outside of regular visiting hours. Visitors are requested to respect visiting hours, and the number of people welcomed at the bedside at any one time will be determined in collaboration with the patient and family.
If an outbreak of infection requires visitor restrictions, staff will collaborate with the patient and family to ensure that selected family members are still welcomed to assure safety and offer emotional support to the patient.
Between 8:30 pm and 6:00 am, family members are encouraged to enter the Sarnia hospital through the front door, where there is an intercom with direct access to Security staff who can open the doors. In Petrolia, the entrance is through the Emergency Department, and nursing staff will respond to the intercom.
Patient Virtual Visit
Due to COVID-19, Bluewater Health currently has restrictions in place limiting family support and visiting in the hospital – but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect with your loved ones. Please let us know if you would like to schedule a 15-minute virtual visit with a loved one in hospital.
Many phones, tablets, and computers have free and easy ways to communicate with friends and family via video, voice or text*. Please see this patient resource for connecting with loved ones.
Pet Visitation
We recognize the healing benefits of pet visitation. We have a policy to guide such visits in non-acute areas of the hospitals. For the safety, health and comfort of all patients, our policy includes requirements for advance notice and scheduling, proof of proper immunizations and pet hygiene considerations. Please discuss these requirements with your care provider who will assist you with the proper process.