Keeping Everyone safe: Important infection prevention and outbreak information for patients, residents, families and visitors
Please note: Information provided here is subject to change.
During respiratory virus season and with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 circulating in the community at all times, St. Joseph’s continually reviews all infection control processes to proactively limit the spread of illness. Our primary concern is always the health and well-being of our patients/residents and their families as well as our staff, physicians and volunteers. The following is important infection prevention information for your visit.
Quick Links for this page:
- Masking
- Current outbreak areas at St. Joseph's
- FAQ - Outbreaks
- Available main entrances
- Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination
Masking
When deciding on masking requirements within our buildings, St. Joseph’s takes a proactive approach, with guidance from public health experts and based on current health and safety risks. Masking requirements are updated as needed. At this time, the following is in effect for patients/residents and visitors to St. Joseph's:
- Masks continue to be recommended, but not required for all patients/residents and visitors, with some exceptions outlined below. The recommendation is to wear a mask in clinical areas and care settings, including waiting rooms, and when in direct contact with a health care worker.
- Masking continues to be required among higher-risk patient populations, as well as in specified clinical areas or when certain direct care procedures are being provided, based on routine practices and precautions. Clinic areas will have masks available and will inform patients/residents when masking is needed.
- Patients with a fever or respiratory symptoms are required to mask in all clinical and non-clinical settings (except if in an inpatient room or bed space and not receiving direct care with a healthcare worker).
Masks are available at St. Joseph’s for anyone that prefers to wear one in all settings. Main entrances, clinics and care units have a stock of masks for required and elective use.
REMINDER – Stay home if you are ill:
Unless you are seeking care in our Urgent Care Centre, do not visit any St. Joseph’s sites if you are sick or displaying any symptoms of infection. This includes visiting someone or attending an appointment. Coming to a site when feeling unwell exposes vulnerable people around you who are already sick. Remember this could be you or your loved ones.
When to stay home
Signs and Symptoms of respiratory infection:
The symptoms of a respiratory infection will vary depending on the type of germ that has entered the body. Some of the symptoms may include:
- Abnormal temperature, 37.5°C or greater
- Runny nose or sneezing or stuffy nose (i.e. congestion)
- Sore throat or hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
- Cough
- Swollen or tender glands in neck
- Malaise
- Muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Chills
- New or increased cough
- New or increased sputum production
- Pleuritic chest pain (Pain in the chest after coughing or breathing caused by inflammation of the lining in the lungs and chest)
- New/increased shortness of breath
- Worsening functional status (difficulty performing activities of daily life)
- Worsening mental status (new or worsening confusion, presence of unconsciousness, unaware of name, place, or date).
Signs and symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection:
The symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection will vary depending on the type of germ that has entered the body. Some of the symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- Fever
- Muscle Pain
- Headache
- Abdominal cramping, pain, or tenderness
Please practice good hand hygiene when in our buildings – clean your hands upon entry, before and after visiting a patient/resident, and when leaving our buildings.
Current Outbreak Areas
There are no current outbreaks
Frequently Asked Questions During an Outbreak by Families/Visitors
How do I know if there’s an outbreak on a care unit?
When an outbreak occurs, outbreak measures are put in place to protect everyone and prevent the spread of illness.
These measures include large outbreak signs at key entrances that inform you of:
- the presence of an outbreak
- type of outbreak
- location of the outbreak
- information for families, caregivers, visitors, and patients/residents
Can I come to a St. Joseph’s Health Care London site if there is an outbreak?
Yes, however, visiting is restricted. Visitor restrictions may be reassessed and modified as the outbreak progresses, or as per direction from the Public Health Unit and Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Visiting is restricted to those who are not displaying signs and symptoms of infection.
Essential visitors are to:
- Sign-in and out at the nursing station upon arrival and departure
- Clean their hands on entering and exiting patient/resident rooms and before and after touching patient/residents. Find information on how to clean your hands.
- Visit a single patient and must not travel between patients/residents.
Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (i.e. mask, gowns, gloves, etc.) if you are entering an isolation room.
Please note: Mount Hope has specific requirements for visiting during an outbreak. See the question about Mount Hope.
Can I come to Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care if there is an outbreak?
During an outbreak, Public Health Ontario, Middlesex-London Health Unit, and/ or St. Joseph’s Infection Control will provide direction on essential visitors within the home. Unless indicated otherwise, visiting is recommended to essential caregivers only. General visitors are not permitted.
Available Entrances for Patients and Visitors - all sites:
The following entrances are open and have masks available as needed:
- St. Joseph's Hospital (download site map) - Parking is available in the Grosvenor Parking Garage (open 24 hours) or in the Cheapside Garage (5:30 am - 5:30 pm Monday to Friday.)
- Grosvenor Entrance 1 - Zone A: 6 am - 6 pm, Mon - Fri
- Grosvenor Entrance 2 - Zone B:
-8 am - 6 pm, Mon - Fri and 8 am to 4 pm weekends and holidays
-6 pm - 8 am, Mon - push buzzer at the door for access - Cheapside Entrance 4 - Zone C: 5:30 am - 8 pm, Mon - Fri
- Tunnel - accessible from the Grosvenor Street parking garage. Available Monday to Friday, 5:30 am to 3:00 pm. After hours, weekends/holidays, please use Grosvenor Entrance 2.
- Mount Hope (download site map)
- Entrance 2 - Zone W (main entrance on Grosvenor): 5 am - 12 am
- Tunnel - accessible from the Grosvenor Street parking garage. Available Monday to Friday, 5:30 am to 3:00 pm. After hours, weekends/holidays, please use the Mount Hope main entrance on Grosvenor Street.
- Parkwood Institute Main Building (download site map)
- Entrance 1 - Zone A (Day Hospital entrance) open 8 am to 4:15 pm for patients/visitors. Outside these hours, please use Entrance 2, Zone C.
- Entrance 2 - Zone C: open 24 hours/7 days a week
- Entrance 4, Zone D (Arthur J. Hobbins entrance) open 7:30 am to 5 pm for patients being dropped off for appointments. Outside these hours, please use Entrance 2, Zone C.
- Entrance 5, Zone E (Western Counties Wing) open from 8 am to 4 pm.
- Parkwood Institute Mental Health Care Building (download site map)
- Main Entrance - Zone F: open 24 hours/7 days a week
- Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (download site map)
- Main Entrance - Zone C: open 24 hours/7 days a week
COVID-19 vaccination
For up-to-date information on the vaccine, visit the COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario webpage. For where to access the vaccine in London-Middlesex , when to get your next dose, and other helpful information, visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit website.