The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has announced a change in their criteria for visitation, family presence and mask guidelines during the COVID-19 crisis.
Expanded guidelines for compassionate care are now permitted immediately with full implementation expected in the coming week.
- For residents in long-term care, quality of life considerations will now be used in addition to care needs to determine if these needs cannot be met without the support of a designated family member or support person. In these situations, two family members or support people can be designated with one family or support person present at a time.
- All critical care and intensive care patients are now included in the compassionate care definition (previously limited to those at high risk for loss of life) and family presence for palliative care has been expanded to facilitate two family members or support people being present at the same time.
- Guidelines have also been revised to ensure that it is clear that there can be one family member or support person for inpatient, outpatient, emergency or urgent care patients who have specific challenges resulting in compromised comprehension, decision making or mobility due to disability or onset of a medical condition. This could include mobility, hearing, speech including communication barriers, intellectual or mental health disability, and visual or memory impairment.
- One designated family member or support person can be present at a time of a major surgery. It includes but is not limited to cardiac surgeries, all cancer surgeries and any surgery that requires critical care.
- New guidelines have also been created to safely support outdoor visits with these visits not limited to one person at a time.
A Family Presence Expert Panel, which consisted of patient and family advisors, public health experts and Infection Prevention and Control experts, provided advice and guidance on recommendations to support visitations during the pandemic.
Scott Livingstone, CEO of the SHA, said the changes hold some risks, but based on the low numbers of COVID-19 plus the needs of residents and patients, he believes it’s warranted to move forward.
“We know that we need to start opening up because it’s not sustainable and we would point to other provinces that are doing the same,” said Livingstone on Wednesday when asked about the risks of removing some restrictions.
“The important message is that we need to do it safely and we have to do it in a way where we are monitoring it very carefully.”
Dr. Susan Shaw, chief medical officer for the SHA, said screening protocols will be in place when people visit their buildings.
“Really it’s about finding that balance of making sure we’re identifying people who could potentially be introducing the virus,” shared Dr. Shaw. “It’s the same screening process I go through when I come into the hospital as well or into a building.”
Designated family members or support people will be required to follow screening, hand hygiene and limited movement within a site. Individuals will also be asked to review a SHA Family Presence Commitment document, which has been created by the Family Expert panel.
Outpatients, family members and support persons will be provided with a medical grade mask, which will need to be worn while in SHA homes and facilities.
More information can be accessed under the Visiting SHA Facilities page on their website including the Family Presence Guidance document.
