Ross Memorial Hospital - Kawartha Lakes
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Policies

Latex

Due to the risk of latex allergies, latex balloons are banned at the Hospital. As a result, only Mylar (foil) balloons are allowed to be delivered to patients. Visitors should check with their florist before ordering any balloons.

Fragrance

Though we all like to smell nice, some staff and patients at RMH are allergic to ingredients in perfume, body lotion, cologne or after shave. For people with an allergy, being near people wearing these products can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, skin irritation, anxiety and nausea. As part of our scent-free policy, staff, physicians, patients and visitors are asked to refrain from wearing scented products or bringing highly-scented flowers to the Hospital.

RMH is Smoke-free

As a healthcare leader in the community, it’s the Hospital’s responsibility to help protect people from preventable diseases that are associated with smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. That’s why all Hospital property, including the parking lot, is 100% smoke-free.

This policy includes all of the Hospital’s buildings and grounds, including the cars in the parking lots. Anyone who wants to smoke will have to leave the property. Ash trays are located at the perimeter of the property near the sidewalks to help reduce litter on municipal property.

Staff and volunteers will not facilitate smoking for patients. Supervised smoking off site can be provided with the assistance of family or friends. Inpatients wishing to leave RMH property to smoke must sign a Leave of Absence form. Nicotine replacement products will be offered to every inpatient who smokes (as appropriate), to help with changes in regular smoking patterns.

If you are interested in nicotine replacement therapy or in learning about ways to quit smoking, please talk to your primary care provider or call the Smoking Cessation coordinator at the Public Health Unit at 705-324-3569.

Cell phones, electronic devices, and cameras

RMH offers free, publicly accessible Wi-Fi service in most areas of the building. Cell phones and other personal cellular devices may be used throughout the Hospital, provided they do not impact patient privacy and the delivery of patient care. (There is an exception on the Inpatient Mental Health Unit. Clients and their families are provided unit-specific policies on admission.)

Increasing the distance between a wireless communication device and medical equipment greatly reduces the risk of electromagnetic interference. Please keep these devices at least one metre away from medical equipment.

To help limit disruption to both patients and staff, please set wireless devices to “quiet” or “vibrate” and maintain a moderate speaking volume.

In order to preserve patient confidentiality, cell phones, cameras and other wireless communication devices may NOT be used to photograph, take video images or record the conversations of any patient, physician, volunteer or staff member without appropriate signed consent.