Temiskaming Hospital (TH) is committed to patient and family centered care, positive health outcomes and the safety and security of patients, their families, and our staff. TH encourages visits from family and visitors (see definitions below) throughout the patient’s hospital stay.

Family: The definition of family is made by the patient/patient representative, recognizing that family may include anyone who normally provides physical, psychological, or emotional support to the patient.  Patients may identify individual(s) as their care partners and how they will be involved in care, care planning, and decision making. 
Visitor:  guest or friend of the patient. 

  1. Visiting hours are between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Try to coordinate your visit times with other family members and friends to ensure your loved one has a healthy care environment.
  2. Patients admitted to Hospital should have no more than two visitors/family members at a time.
  3. Visits of more than two people may be accommodated through collaboration with the patient and the inter-professional care team.
  4. Children under 12 years must be directly supervised by an adult, who is not the patient.
  5. Visitors are asked to use the available spaces in the waiting area, chapel and/or common areas to avoid overcrowding the patient care areas.
  6. Visitors who feel unwell, have an active infection, have symptoms of respiratory illness, symptoms of flu-like illnesses, or have symptoms of other communicable diseases should not visit. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn as instructed to support existing safety procedure requirements.
  7. To ensure confidentiality all health care information is shared directly with the patient, or if the patient’s condition warrants, the Substitute Decision Maker (SDM). To help facilitate effective communication among family members and hospital staff, the patient is encouraged to name one or two spokespersons that can provide information to extended family members.  
  8. Visits may be restricted to protect the health care needs and privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety and security decisions. Any or all visitors may be asked to leave at the discretion of the Nursing Team Leader or designate.
  9. Some patient care units have locked doors and a phone located outside the unit entrance (i.e. Obstetrics, Emergency Department, and Operating Room). Please use the phone to call in to the unit and check in before visiting.
  10. To ensure patient privacy and in respect to other families in the Special Care Unit (SCU), the number of visitors is limited so that no more than two people are visiting at one time.
  11. Disruptive behavior and unsafe practices are not acceptable by any visitor or family member; these situations, while usually rare, will be addressed directly and promptly.
  12. In the event of a public health event affecting the hospital, visitors may be temporarily limited or restricted.
  13. In exceptional circumstances these visiting hours may be waived at the discretion of the Nursing Team Leader or designate.
  14. For family visiting, please see policy: ADM-G-71 Family Presence.

 Effective January 24, 2020