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Information for patients and visitors to The Ottawa Hospital
COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses continue to circulate in our community. Please ensure you continue to follow public health recommendations to help keep you, your loved ones and our community safe.
If you have been instructed to quarantine by public health officials or in accordance with federal travel guidelines, please do not visit The Ottawa Hospital.
If you are experiencing escalating COVID or cold and flu symptoms, you can book an appointment at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre near you. Do not go to the Emergency Department unless you have a medical emergency.
If you are having a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911
Everyone entering one of our sites must wear a mask.
Visiting the hospital
The Ottawa Hospital is currently allowing visitors, in accordance with our Visitors and Family Presence policy.
This policy encourages patients, families and care teams to determine how many people should be present at any time. Essential Care Partners (ECPs) and visitors will still be expected to complete screening before entering the facility (see below for more information) and must always wear a mask.
There are no defined visiting hours as part of this policy, and loved ones are welcome to visit patients at The Ottawa Hospital at times that work best for patients in collaboration with care teams.
Masks are optional throughout the hospital, but required:
- If you are patient coming for an appointment, and you are symptomatic or instructed to wear a mask as a result of screening.
- In patient rooms, as needed based on individual patient precautions.
- On units where there is an outbreak of a respiratory illness.
You are also welcome to wear a mask throughout your time at the hospital, if that is what you prefer.
Essential Care Partners and social visitors are not the same. An Essential Care Partner is a support person whose presence is considered essential to the safety and wellbeing of a patient while they are in the hospital.
Learn more about The Ottawa Hospital’s Essential Care Partner Program
While a unit is experiencing an outbreak, there may be increased precautions on that unit to ensure the safety of patients, staff and Essential Care Partners. Before visiting a unit experiencing an outbreak at The Ottawa Hospital, visitors are advised to consult with unit staff.
Yes, provided the patient has consented to visitors.
If you would like to bring a child to visit someone in the hospital, please talk to the patient and their care team in advance.
Last updated on: May 10th, 2024