Welcome to Concordia Hospital
COVID-19 Information
Be sure to visit the Province of Manitoba website for the information and resources related to COVID-19.
Provincial response level changed to YELLOW
March 1, 2022 Visitation Changes
In response to a decline in overall COVID-19 activity and high rates of vaccination, Manitoba will soon lift a number of public health orders and requirements.
Within the health system, planning has been underway to prepare for this provincial reopening and to ensure that necessary measures are in place both to protect the patient/resident/client populations we care for as well as our overall health system capacity.
Over the coming weeks, Manitoba’s health system will begin to focus on activities that support health system recovery. This will include an expansion of visitation for patients and residents, as well as increased activity across surgery, diagnostics and ambulatory care.
As these transitions occur, our facilities, programs and services will maintain a number of protocols and practices that are necessary to minimize transmission of the virus, including amongst patients/residents/clients who may be at increased risk of severe outcomes.
Many of these measures are routine practices for the prevention and control of infectious disease that have been in effect across the health system. Others have evolved throughout the pandemic as evidence has guided additional preventative measures. These include staff and visitor screening, direction to stay home when ill (for staff and visitors), the use of masks by visitors and patients, physical distancing, and visitor limitations in high risk settings.
Our goal has been, and remains, to ensure balance between the necessary preventative measures that will help keep our patients/residents/clients, our workforce, and Manitoba communities safe, and our responsibility to provide access to important health services for all Manitobans.
Frequently asked questions
What are the changes in Visitation Effective March 1, 2022
Vaccination status is no longer a requirement for visitation. Screening is still required upon entry, using appropriate screening algorithms for managing visitors. Visitors are required to sign in and out and perform hand hygiene.
- Although two essential care partners can be identified per each patient, only one essential care partner (ECP) or one general visitor may attend at a time.
- Expanded access in Emergency/Urgent Care and Outpatient circumstances subject to space and physical distancing being able to be maintained from other patients and ECP.
Definitions
Essential Care Partner
An essential care partner is defined as those providing physical, psychological and emotional support, as deemed important by the patient.
General Visitor (Visitor)
A visitor is defined as someone whose time with the patient is discretionary and short term/temporary. This can include:
- visits that occur for purposes that are social in nature;
- individuals who are not involved in the care of the patient.
How many people can visit at a time:
Only one visitor can visit at a time. For example one ECP or one General visitor only can visit at a time.
Can more than one General Visitor visit at one time?
No, only one general visitor can visit at a time unless the visitor and the ECP are from the same household. Visitors from the same household do not need to physically distance from one another but must maintain physical distancing from the patient.
Exceptions will be made by unit managers in extenuating circumstances.
Does this change visitor access to Emergency Departments or Urgent Care Centres?
Yes, 1 (one) fully vaccinated essential care partner may accompany a patient in the emergency department or urgent care centre. Access is dependent upon consideration of space and ability for the ECP to maintain physical distancing from other patients and ECPs. Physical distancing between the patient and ECP is not required to be maintained. The essential care partner will be required to wear a medical mask and eye protection.
Does this change visitor access to outpatient appointments? (e.g. diagnostics, cancer care, renal)
Yes, 1 (one) essential care partner may accompany a patient in the emergency department or urgent care centre. Access is dependent upon consideration of space and ability for the ECP to maintain physical distancing from other patients and ECPs. Physical distancing between the patient and ECP is not required to be maintained. The essential care partner will be required to wear a medical mask and eye protection.
Effective March 1,2022 proof of COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required for designated family caregivers (in long-term care) and essential care partners (in acute care) as well as general (social) visitors to individuals and facilities.
Visitor guidelines will also be evolving during this time to appropriately balance the risks posed by visitation with the benefits of visitation for patients and residents.
General visitors and essential care partners will continue to be provided with appropriate PPE to be worn for the duration of their visit.
General visitors must maintain physical distancing during their visits, both from the patient and from one another (if the visitors are not from the same household).
General visitors will not be required to wear eye protection due to the maintained physical distancing. Essential care partners permitted to visit patient who are COVID + or are isolated awaiting a COVID swab test may be required to wear additional PPE.
As we navigate these changes over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to share information as it is available
Thank you for your continued vigilance. Regular updates will be provided on this website.
Valerie Wiebe │ President/COO
Concordia Hospital / Concordia Place
Tel 204–661-7144 | vwiebe6@concordiahospital.mb.ca
Past Communications & Memo’s
Nov 2, 2020 – Visitor Access during COVID 19 – Pandemic Response Level Red
About Concordia Hospital
Concordia Hospital was started in 1928 by a group of Mennonites who had immigrated to Canada from Russia. Seeing the need for health care in the growing immigrant community they started their first project, which was a 4 bed maternity hospital. This project would grow to become the present Concordia organization, which includes Concordia Hospital and Concordia Place. The blessing they had received by being able to immigrate to Canada motivated them.
Concordia’s mission, vision and values come from this Anabaptist/Mennonite heritage and commitment to mutual aid through compassionate service by offering compassionate care in the name of Christ and in the spirit of Christian community. Our focus is on healing all those we serve.
We believe that we have a mutual obligation to care for each other. Just as those that started Concordia showed it in 1928, we hope that you will feel that obligation as we care for you during your stay at Concordia today.
