​Updated masking guidelines at Kincardine hospital

The South Bruce Grey Health Centre is joining hospitals across the region in adjusting masking guidelines to better reflect the current health and safety risks. This includes hospitals in Kincardine, Walkerton, Chesley and Durham.

Effective today (Oct. 4), the health centre will introduce new masking requirements.

For patients/visitors:
 

• The health centre recommends that you wear a mask in all clinical areas and care settings when meeting with, or speaking directly to, a health-care worker, especially in the Emergency
• Departments.
• 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 health-care worker).
• Masks will continue to be available at all hospital entrances.

For staff/physicians:
 

• Masking will be required for all direct patient contact in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings.
• Masks are recommended, but will not be required, in common spaces, including team stations, hallways and break spaces.
• Masks will continue to be available at all entrances and in care settings.

The health centre thanks patients, families, and the community for the ongoing support as it moves toward these new requirements and recommendations to ensure the hospital communities are protected throughout the respiratory season. As always, the health centre will continue to assess its infection prevention and control safety measures on an ongoing basis.