“I am very proud of our staff and physicians for both their leadership and cooperation with the immediate precautions and changes that have been implemented at the Hospital due to the recent SARS emergency,” says Anthony Vines, President and CEO, Ross Memorial Hospital. “I am also grateful to patients and visitors coming to the Hospital for their patience and understanding as we take every step possible to ensure the safety and protection of everyone at the Hospital.”

• Late yesterday, hospitals outside of GTA were directed to reinstate all surgical services and insofar as possible, bring back all outpatient clinics. Recognizing the preparation and planning that will have to take place to resume these services, it is anticipated that these services at Ross Memorial Hospital will be phased in commencing next week. Patients will be contacted with respect to scheduling of procedures.
  
  • Where possible, Ross Memorial requests that patients coming to the Hospital for surgical or outpatient services, to come on their own. Those patients who require assistance while at the Hospital are requested to bring only one person with them.
• Upon arrival at the Hospital, staff and physicians, as well as patients and visitors, have been and will continue to be required to pass a SARS screening test. Effective immediately, this will now include the taking of each person’s temperature, prior to entering the Hospital.

• Effective immediately access to the Hospital will be as follows:
  • Emergency Patients Only: Entrance/Exit: Kent Street/Emergency
  • Staff/Physician and Patients/Visitors: Entrance/Exit: Angeline Street/
    Main Entrance
    

“We will strive to reinstate surgical and outpatient services as soon as possible,” says Mr. Vines. “However, it is important for us to also ensure that appropriate resources are available to staff these services while our employees continue with current screening precautions and restriction for SARS.”

Ross Memorial, as per provincial directives, is establishing an isolation unit in the event that the Hospital will need to admit a case(s) of SARS.

All other directives relating to restricted access and visitors remain in effect. For example:

• The Hospital is closed to visitors except for compassionate grounds, i.e. critically ill patients, terminally ill patients, children and newborns. Each of these patients is allowed one visitor at a time.
• The Hospital also remains closed to all other non-essential visitors, i.e. volunteers, students, floral shops, etc.
• All patients and visitors entering the Hospital will be required to wear a mask.
• The Hospital’s Emergency Department remains open, however, patients are encouraged, where appropriate, to attend at their family physician’s office or the After Hours Clinic.

Ross Memorial Hospital will continue to assess the situation regarding SARS on a daily basis and will put in place further actions if / when they become necessary.

For more information on SARS:

• Ross Memorial Hospital website: http://www.rmh.org
• Ross Memorial Hospital Information Line: (705) 328-6191
• General information about SARS: INFOline: 1-888-668-4636
• Those with symptoms of SARS: Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000