Burlington’s Jo Brant Hospital will continue to enforce mask mandate
Published March 23, 2022 at 3:13 pm
Bucking the trend of municipalities, businesses and organizations loosening COVID-19 restrictions, Burlington’s local hospital is standing firm.
Joseph Brant Hospital says its role in protecting the health and safety of patients and healthcare workers remains paramount.
“While many of us welcome the opportunity to take part in indoor social activities such as sporting events, it is important to recognize that COVID-19 remains transmissible to vulnerable individuals receiving care in healthcare settings,” said Eric Vandewall, JBH’s CEO and president.
“We cannot lose sight of our role in protecting the health and safety of patients and healthcare workers at Joseph Brant Hospital.”
Vandewall said the lifting of public health measures by provincial and local governments is, at the end of the day, a judgment call.
“Hospitals have the discretion to establish their own guidelines and review them on an ongoing basis. At this point, JBH will continue to require that all patients, essential care providers, and visitors wear a hospital-issued, medical grade mask while in the hospital.”
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Vandewall said the decision is rooted in data, evolving science and evidence-based best practices and is what is best for JBH patients, staff, physicians, learners and volunteers.
“We have made changes to the limits on Essential Care Providers, recognizing the important role they play in a patient’s care, well-being, and recovery. Patients staying in hospital can have two ECPs at their bedside, and individuals coming for appointments or coming to the Emergency Department can have one person accompany them.”
ECPs are still required to complete a COVID-19 screening before coming to the hospital.
Vandewall said surgical activity has reached 90 per cent of pre-COVID levels, consistent with the changes in provincial direction. Hospital diagnostics are running at full capacity and additional strategies to address the surgical procedures backlog are being explored.
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