Back to Top Essential Care Partners - The Ottawa Hospital Website scanner for suspicious and malicious URLs
 

toh

Patient and family guide to Essential Care Partners at The Ottawa Hospital

Note: this page contains general information about the Essential Care Partner Program at The Ottawa Hospital. For specific information about being an ECP during the COVID-19, pandemic, please also read Important information for Essential Care Partners during the COVID -19 pandemic.

What is an Essential Care Partner?

An Essential Care Partner (ECP) is a support person whose presence is considered essential to the safety and well-being of a patient while they are in the hospital. An ECP is different from a social visitor or a paid support worker. Most often, they are family or close friends of the patient who typically know the patient’s health history, lifestyle and personal values.

Why can ECPs visit patients in the hospital?

Having a familiar person available to patients to provide different types of support can help improve their health outcomes. The ECP designation provides a consistent and equitable way for patients to have access to this support as safely as possible despite visitor restrictions and is consistent with the hospital’s vision to provide each patient with the world-class care, exceptional service and compassion we would want for our loved ones.

For the safety of everyone at The Ottawa Hospital, steps are being taken to minimize the number of people in the hospital at any one time, while also taking into account the needs of our patients. We are all working together to minimize the number of people in the hospital. In-person visits are not the only way an ECP can support a patient effectively.

How can an ECP support their loved one?

There are many ways an ECP could offer support to their loved one. Some examples could include:

  • advocating for them
  • supporting their decision making
  • providing emotional and cognitive support
  • being a part of planning their care while in the hospital and once they are discharged
  • helping them use technology to connect with friends or loved ones
  • helping them eat, move around, bathe, communicate etc. as needed
  • participating in patient and family education
  • letting the care team know when they see a change in the patient

Who can choose an ECP?

All patients at The Ottawa Hospital (or their Substitute Decision Makers (SDM)) can choose one ECP plus a maximum of one alternate if needed. However, not every patient will want or need an ECP. Ultimately, it is each patient’s decision to make. For patients needing two ECPs, all involved should work together to develop an alternating schedule so that only one of their ECPs is at the hospital at a time.

Are ECPs permitted in all cases?

As much as possible, every patient who wants an ECP should have access to one. However, there are certain instances where ECPs may not be permitted for safety reasons.

What are the steps to becoming an ECP?

  1. The patient or Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) chooses one to two people as their ECP.
  2. The health-care team/clerk and unit manager registers the person(s) as an ECP
  3. The ECP is offered online training on IPAC practices. If there are barriers to completing the online training, ECPs can access printed material or receive direct teaching from IPAC staff.
  4. The ECP agrees to follow IPAC practices and unit-specific policies. These can include physical distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks. Health-care staff must observe the ECP to ensure they are using personal protective equipment effectively.

Restrictions for positive or presumed COVID-19 cases

Like all hospitals, The Ottawa Hospital is a “highest risk setting.” For the health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors, any individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 or displays COVID-19 symptoms must wait 10 days before coming to the hospital.

You may only need to self-isolate for 5 days, as required by Ottawa Public Health, but you still should not visit the hospital for 10 days.

  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must wait 10 days from the date of your test before coming into the hospital.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 but are unable to get a test, you must wait 10 days from the onset of your symptoms before coming into the hospital.

Please review the Ottawa Public Health self-isolation requirements before coming to the hospital.

This regulation applies to all individuals — regardless of age or vaccination status — including non-emergent patients, Essential Care Partners and staff.

If you have or suspect you have COVID-19 and need to be treated for your symptoms, please visit the Emergency Department at either the Civic or General Campus.

If you have a medical appointment booked at the hospital within 10 days of your positive COVID-19 test or onset of symptoms, please call the office to reschedule your appointment to a time that is safer for everyone.

If you are an employee, please contact your leader to determine what is required and when you are able to return to work.

What if I have questions about the ECP initiative?

Please talk to a member of the health-care team or call 613-722-7000

Resources

Last updated on: November 2nd, 2023