COVID-19
Information for Patients and Families

As people continue coming to the hospital, this tool will enhance the screening process by improving our ability to ensure the health and safety of all those who enter the hospital. It also allows faster access for scheduled visits.

Before you come to the hospital or while you wait in line, please enter https://screening.thp.ca into your browser. You will be asked a series of COVID-19 symptom questions and, once complete, you will be informed if you can safely come to the hospital.

If you pass screening, you will be required to show this confirmation to the screeners at the hospital entrance. All visitors that fail screening will not be able to attend their scheduled visit. If you are a patient and fail screening, you will have to follow the steps outlined in the tool. You may not be able to come to the hospital at this time.

We understand that not everyone can use this tool, and visitors that do not wish to use the tool will follow the current process of waiting in line to be screened in-person.

If you’re having technical difficulties with the online self-screening tool, please come to the hospital and you will be screened in-person at the hospital entrance. Please let the screener know that you tried to use the tool, and explain what problems you encountered.

No. Screening measures are a mandatory, preventative effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Everyone entering the hospital must be screened, either in-person or by completing the online self-screening tool and showing confirmation at the entrance.

If you are a patient and fail screening within the tool, the results page of the tool will inform you of what to do next. All patients requiring emergency care will be permitted to come to the hospital. Patients who have a scheduled non-emergency appointment will be directed to speak with a screener, who will contact the clinic/unit for further direction.

You will need a device such as a smartphone, computer or tablet. You can complete this tool before you come to the hospital or while you wait in line for screening at the entrance. At the hospital entrance, you will need to show proof that you passed screening, through a picture or screenshot.

An internet connection is required to use the online self-screening tool. If you don’t have data on your phone or other device, you will not be able to use the tool and will be screened in-person at the hospital entrance.

The process is quick and should take no more than 3 minutes to complete. If you save the link to your phone or other device by bookmarking it, you can also access it instantly every time you need it.

The online self-screening tool is valid for 14 hours and the confirmation of a passed screening result can be used at any point during that timeframe.

We expect COVID-19 to be prevalent for quite some time, and this process will help improve our screening capabilities long-term. This tool also reinforces personal accountability by every patient and visitor to continue to self-monitor for symptoms during this pandemic.

While we strongly advise that patients and visitors do not come in and out of the hospital, the online self-screening tool can be completed once daily and is valid for 14 hours. If you need to step out of the hospital, you can display the screenshot of completion to the screeners at the hospital entrance when you return.

You will be asked to provide your first and last name, and answer all of the COVID-19 symptom questions truthfully.

No. At this time, we only accept proof from our screening tool to ensure standardization of our screening practices. We will continue to assess other options for the future.

We are pleased to welcome back more visitors back to THP. Beginning March 1, visiting is open to all individuals who meet screening guidelines. Each patient will may welcome up to two visitors at a time for a maximum of two hours each day between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Visits should continue to be scheduled in advance.

To ensure the safest possible environment for our patients to receive care, proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (two doses plus a minimum of 14 days) will be required for all individuals seeking to visit a patient at THP. Exceptions will apply for individuals with approved medical exemptions and visitors of Specific Patient Populations.

As much as possible, THP’s visitor policy will follow Ontario’s Three-Step Roadmap to Reopen. Depending on COVID-19 cases in the community and local hospital conditions, we may need to make changes that are different from the provincial guidelines. The number of visitors allowed will be posted on our website page.

• Anyone who has the following signs or symptoms: Fever, cough, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches
• Anyone who is not fully vaccinated (two doses plus a minimum of 14 days) and does not have a documented medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine or an approved exception from Patient Relations or the clinical unit
• Anyone who is known or suspected to be COVID-19 positive and has not been cleared by Public Health
• Anyone who is a contact of a known COVID-19 positive person and has not been cleared by Public Health
• Anyone who has been told to stay home by a healthcare provider or public health
• Anyone who has received a COVID-19 exposure alert on the COVID Alert App within the last 14 days

Yes. Before you come to the hospital or while you wait in line, you can use THP's online self-screening tool: https://screening.thp.ca

If you do not wish to use the tool, you can continue waiting in line to be screened in-person at the entrance.

No. Each patient can only schedule one visiting appointment per day. Any two visitors can visit during the same scheduled appointment. They cannot schedule two separate visits on the same day.

The hospital has taken steps to maximize the safety and well-being of everyone during COVID-19, including:

• Limiting the number of people who enter the hospital and are present at any given time;
• Screening visitors for symptoms at entrances;
• Requiring proof of vaccination for visitors and mandatory vaccination for all staff;
• Requiring use of masks (and other personal protective equipment, if needed); and
• Putting physical distancing measures in place.

Visitors must:

• Pre-book their visit time with the clinical unit. (We encourage one person to coordinate all visiting appointments for the patient.)
• Pass screening for symptoms at the hospital’s entrance or THP’s online self-screening tool
• Be fully vaccinated (two doses plus a minimum of 14 days) and be able to show proof of vaccination OR have a documented medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine
• Wear a mask at all times
• Practice hand washing and physical distancing
• Stay at the patient’s bedside at all times, except to use a public bathroom. Visiting common areas or other clinical areas is not allowed.

It is important to follow all visiting guidelines to help keep all patients, staff and visitors safe. Failure to follow the visiting guidelines may result in certain visitors being no longer able to visit. Virtual visits can be coordinated by contacting the patient’s clinical unit.

The COVID-19 vaccine is the best protection against the virus. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.

To ensure the safest possible environment for our patients, staff and visitors, THP’s vaccine policy will remain in place for all visitors, with limited exceptions in order to reduce risk of transmission, particularly for vulnerable, immunocompromised individuals. This is in alignment with THP’s peer hospitals. Should you want to submit an appeal for this process, please contact Patient Relations – patient.relations@thp.ca or (905) 848-7164.

Yes, additional visitors are allowed for some patient populations. For more information on these patient populations and the number of additional visitors and visits allowed for each group, please go to: Specific Patient Populations .

Visitors are generally not allowed to accompany patients in the Emergency Department or in outpatient clinics due to the lack of space available to maintain a physical distance of 2 meters. Limited exceptions apply. For more information, please see Specific Patient Populations.

Visitors will be asked to leave and return when the patient is ready for pick up.

Visitors may wear their own mask as long as it is clean and provides a high level of protection (e.g. medical mask). Cloth masks are not permitted at this time. Masks will also be supplied at the front entrance for those who may want or need a new one. .

THP changes the number of visitors/visits allowed based on the number of COVID-19 cases in the hospital and community, as well as government and public health guidance. Some visiting restrictions will remain in place until public health has declared that the pandemic is under control.

Please speak with the unit manager. You can also contact Patient Relations at (905) 848-7164 or Patient.Relations@thp.ca.

No, anyone with symptoms or who is currently COVID-19 positive should be self-isolating at home and should not visit the hospital. Symptoms will be screened at the hospital entrance and visitors that fail screening will be asked to leave the hospital.

If a visitor develops COVID-like symptoms or/and tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of visiting the hospital, they must contact the unit/department they visited. Reporting COVID-like symptoms or a positive test helps us conduct contact tracing and determine if inpatient and staff testing is required. Reporting keep everyone safe and could help save lives.

We know that one of the most important relationships is the one between people and their families and friends. As a result, we have a number of supports available, including free WiFi, phone and TV services, and enabling virtual visits with patients and family members through THP’s iPads.

Yes. THP is able to help coordinate virtual visits with patients and family members through THP iPads.  To request/book a virtual visit, please contact the patient’s clinical unit.

Please contact the unit’s charge nurse or manager to request a visit for a child under the age of 14. If allowed, the child will be counted as one of the patient’s daily visitors during the booked appointment. Children under the age of 14 must visit with an adult.

THP has a dedicated contact tracing team that works with Peel Public Health to contact visitors that may have been exposed to COVID-19. To help with contact tracing efforts, all visitors must sign in before entering the unit.

Units have a schedule to ensure that visiting times allow for appropriate physical distancing to prevent the spread of illness and ensure the safety of patients, staff and the community.

Essential belongings include items such as:

• Eyeglasses
• Hearing aids
• Electronic devices
• Clothing and intimates
• Personal hygiene items
• Books or magazines

At this time, the hospital is not able to heat up food or keep food in a fridge. Only food that does not require refrigeration can be left at the bedside.

If you have additional questions, please contact the patient’s clinical team.

If you notice changes in your loved one’s condition, please escalate your concerns to a member of your loved one’s care team and someone will be able to speak with you.