The Hospital for Sick Children limits access during SARS outbreak
TORONTO, March 30 /CNW/ - The Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) has cancelled all elective surgery and outpatient clinic appointments until Monday, April 14. Parents will be contacted if their child should come into the hospital for an urgent appointment. HSC's Emergency Department remains open and inpatient care and emergency surgery continue to be provided. For regular updates, parents should call the HSC Family Information Line at (416) 813-7700.
HSC is asking that all regular staff come to work as scheduled but that volunteers and students not come to the hospital during this period. All meetings and conferences scheduled to take place in the hospital have been cancelled until April 14. To reduce risk to patients and families during the SARS outbreak, HSC is now permitting only one parent or guardian at a time be allowed to visit a patient in the hospital.
HSC is taking all of these necessary precautions in order to prevent transmission of SARS among staff and patients. HSC requests that those who must come to the hospital follow these guidelines:
- Anyone entering the hospital will be screened by HSC staff.
- No visitors will be allowed except for a parent of a patient. Siblings and other children will not be allowed entry into the hospital.
- Anyone with respiratory symptoms will not be allowed into the hospital, with the exception of children who need medical evaluation.
- Surgical masks will be provided to parents entering the hospital and must be worn at all times.
- If you suspect that your child been exposed to SARS, please do not come to HSC's Emergency department. Instead, please call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Symptoms to look for in children include a rapid onset of fever greater than 38 C, one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
For further information: Lisa Lipkin, Public Affairs, The Hospital for Sick Children, (416) 813-6380, lisa.lipkin@sickkids.ca