Patient & Visitor Protections

Your safety is our biggest priority

At IWK Health because of the patients and families we serve, we continue to require enhanced measures even as the provincial COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. These ongoing measures remain in place to ensure safety for all as we continue to navigate reopening. They include pre-screening before your appointment or admission, door screening on arrival, masking when you come on site, testing when you’re admitted, and limits on the number of support persons who can come with you.

If you have questions before your arrival about your appointment or admission, you may contact your health care team directly.

Latest support person limits

There are differences in the physical layout where care is being provided. These differences impact our ability to practice appropriate physical distancing therefore we have taken a location-by-location approach to support person limits. 

Latest changes in effect May 15, 2023

We understand the complexity involved in implementing these changes and that some areas may have difficulty accommodating additional support people due to the need to maintain physical distancing requirements. In these cases, care teams will work with families to discuss options based on care needs. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make additional changes when we can.

Obstetrical Patients

Pregnant COVID-positive patients admitted to the Early Labour and Assessment Unit/Birth Unit/Family Newborn Care Unit at IWK Health will be able to have two support persons accompany them who are asymptomatic.

The following must be adhered to during their stay:

• Support persons MUST wear a medical mask at all times.
• If a support person becomes symptomatic, they MUST leave the Health Centre for the safety of patients, families, staff, and physicians. An alternate, asymptomatic person may accompany the patient.
• Support persons MUST remain in the patient’s room at all times NOR can they leave the Health Centre and return. Food will be provided while on isolation.
• Should the patient be required to go to the Operating Room for delivery, the support person will NOT be permitted to accompany.
• Should the support person not adhere to the guidelines for safety, they will not be permitted to stay.

Patients and support persons who have recently been positive for COVID-19

At IWK Health, patients and support persons will be considered COVID recovered only at least 10 full days after the date symptoms started or after the date of a positive test.

Patients and caregivers are asked to please let care teams know if they have recently tested positive and are still within the 10-day timeframe. If a support person is still within the 10-day time period, we ask that you please choose an alternate support person who is not currently positive for COVID-19.

While in a community setting, Nova Scotia Public Health guidance regarding COVID-19 isolation applies.

Important reminders for all patients and support people:

• All family/support persons or family caregivers will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, exposures or known positive tests upon arrival to the IWK.
• Any family member/support person who meets current screening criteria will not be permitted entry.
• Support persons will be asked to switch their mask to a medical grade mask by door screening upon arrival at an IWK Health site.
• All family/support persons or family caregivers must go directly to and from the patient’s room or visit location and should remain there for the duration of the visit.
• Family/support persons or family caregivers may go directly outside for fresh air/walks when self-isolation is not required for any reason for the support person (they may accompany patients who are not on Additional Precautions at the discretion of their healthcare team). Physical distancing from other patients, staff, visitors must be maintained while outside of the IWK, and external public facilities should not be visited. 

The IWK encourages the public to continue to do the things that keep themselves and their families healthy and well. This includes seeking support for time-sensitive care and for any concerning symptoms or issues that may arise.

Please continue to have your child vaccinated according to schedule.

Please continue to attend well-child visits or contact your primary care provider or pediatrician if there are concerns about things like development, feeding or growth.

If your child has acute or chronic health issues and there are new or worsening symptoms or issues, there are a number of options: 

• Please contact your primary care provider, pediatrician or specialist providing care for your child to arrange virtual or if needed, onsite care.
• The IWK Emergency Department is open 24/7 should you need to bring your child in for emergency care. Extra precautions have been taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. Patients are screened upon arrival and may be asked to wear a mask. Patients with possible infections are separated from those coming to the Emergency Department for other reasons. Strict infection prevention and control measures are in place to keep patients and families safe.
   

The Mental Health & Addictions program is still open and here for you during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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