Horizon Health has introduced a new screening process at its hospitals and health care facilities.
Patients, social visitors and designated support persons (DSPs) must self-screen for symptoms of COVID and other respiratory viruses.
Up until now, these individuals had been screened by staff before they were allowed to enter the facility.
“Patients, DSPs and social visitors will be required to review a series of questions about respiratory virus symptoms and other potential risks,” Horizon said in a news release Monday.
They will now have to review a series of questions about respiratory virus symptoms and other potential risks.
Patients who fail screening are advised to go directly to their appointment and inform staff that they have failed screening.
Social visitors and DSPs who fail screening should not enter the facility. DSPs should contact the nursing unit for further direction.
“A screener will remain stationed at all entrances to answer any questions related to the self-screening process,” said the release.
“Patients, social visitors and DSPs will continue to be required to wear a clean medical grade face mask in a Horizon hospital or health care facility, which will be provided at screening, and asked to perform hand hygiene.”
The change does not apply to Horizon’s emergency departments or urgent care centres, where active screening will remain in place.
This, Horizon said, is to ensure symptomatic patients are separated from other patient in the waiting areas.
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