{"id":59746,"date":"2021-02-03T11:12:33","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T16:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/?page_id=59746"},"modified":"2023-11-02T15:07:04","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T19:07:04","slug":"essential-care-partners-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/patients-visitors\/essential-care-partners\/essential-care-partners-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Care partners during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Important information for Essential Care Partners during the COVID -19 pandemic<\/h2>\n

Essential Care Partners (ECPs) must take special precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0 If you are new to the ECP program, please read the patient and family guide to Essential Care Partners <\/a>\u00a0before continuing.<\/p>\n

Fewer people in the building means we are all safer<\/h3>\n

During a pandemic, The Ottawa Hospital must limit how many people enter the building and how long they stay there. \u00a0These actions help to make sure that there is enough space for everyone to practice physical distancing and help lower the chances that COVID-19 will spread to patients, ECPs and staff.<\/p>\n

How many ECPs come to the hospital and for how long depends on several factors:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. the level of restriction in the community<\/li>\n
  2. the level of visitor restriction at The Ottawa Hospital<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. how much personal protective equipment (PPE) the hospital has<\/li>\n
  4. the number of COVID-19 outbreaks in the community and in the hospital<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. how the layout of patient areas, units and other parts of the hospital may affect every person\u2019s ability to practice physical distancing<\/li>\n
  6. patient safety<\/li>\n
  7. other safety issues<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Hospital care teams will work with patients families and ECPs regarding visits for exceptional circumstances<\/a> (such as end-of-life care) on a compassionate and equitable basis.<\/p>\n

    ECPs and social visitors<\/h3>\n

    During low visitor restrictions, patients can identify up to two social visitors in addition to up to two ECPs. However, we ask that a maximum of one social visitor and one ECP visit a patient per day.<\/p>\n

    The ECP will take priority if the room can not accommodate physical distancing.<\/p>\n

    How to request an ECP during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/h3>\n

    Note: Only a patient or their Substitute decision maker can request an ECP.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. When a loved on is admitted to The Ottawa Hospital, or before when possible, they or their Substitute Decision Maker lets the health-care team know who they would like as their ECP while in hospital.<\/li>\n
    2. The clinical manager or a delegated member of the health-care team carefully assesses each ECP request. They will ask a few questions and work with the patient and the potential ECP to come up with the safest overall plan.<\/li>\n
    3. After admission, the health-care team\/clerk and unit manager registers the person(s) as an ECP.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Use technology when possible to connect with a loved one<\/h3>\n

      Technologies like Zoom or Facetime can be safe and effective ways for ECPs to provide cognitive and emotional support to their loved one.\u00a0 ECPs should talk to the care team about setting up a virtual visit.<\/p>\n

      ECPs play an important role in stopping the spread of COVID-19<\/h3>\n

      ECPs can not<\/strong> come to The Ottawa Hospital if they have (or someone they have had close contact with has)<\/p>\n