Hospital Policies

  • Labour and Delivery patients must enter through the Labour and Delivery Entrance (down to the right of the Emergency entrance).
  • All patients and care partners are required to wear a mask when entering the hospital and will be asked to don a new procedure mask every time they enter after performing hand hygiene. The ECP must wear a mask while in hospital & while in contact with staff/professional staff.
  • All individuals who enter our Hospital must call Labour and Delivery 684-6540 on arrival and pass through screening
  • You are permitted an ECP for initial labour checks, routine NSTs, Biophysical Profile ultrasound, Rhogam injections, or other low risk obstetrical activity.
  • Once admitted, the birthing parent may have 2 ECPs present.
  • Caesarian Sections
    • 1 ECP may be present in the OR during a Caesarian Section (subject to availability of PPE)
    • ECPs of positive/presumptive patients will not be permitted in the OR
  • After delivery (vaginal or C-section)
      • 2 ECP are allowed for immediate postpartum period (approximately 2h following the birth)
      • Once the client has been transferred to the Maternal-Newborn Unit, 1 ECP must return their visitor badge and is not permitted to return. The other designated postpartum ECP can remain for the first 6 hours of life or until the end of that day’s visiting hours (8 pm), whichever is longer.
      • The postpartum ECP must be the same individual throughout the hospitalization. You may NOT rotate between the 2 original ECPs.
  • Only 1 hospital access is allowed per day per ECP (no in’s and out’s).
    • The ECP must re-enter through the Main Entrance to visit on the Maternal Newborn ward.
    • Designated ECPs who are on opioid replacement therapy will be allowed to leave if needed to access their medication or for medical appointments. Social Work may be able to support these ECPs.
    • Smoking ECPs are encouraged to bring their own Nicotine Replacement Therapy for stays on any of the Women & Children’s Program areas. Leaves for cigarette breaks are not permitted. Alternatively, an alternate ECP who can remain with hospitalized patient should be considered.
  • Meals will only be provided to the admitted patient. ECPs must bring any food/drink they will require for the duration of their time in hospital or may leave the room to go to the cafeteria or Robin’s Donuts in the hospital.
  • Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will not be eligible for entry to the hospital and will not be permitted to be an ECP in any Women & Children’s department
  • If at any time an ECP becomes COVID symptomatic, they will be required to leave the premises and may not return until they have been medically cleared.
  • Appeals regarding the ECP policy should be directed to Katie Forbes, the Department Manager for Labour and Delivery / Maternal Newborn by phone at 684-6548 or by e-mail at forbesk@tbh.net.
  • The use of the tubs in the birthing suits is NOT permitted during the current outbreak.

COVID-19 Pandemic- Essential Care Partner (ECP) Guidelines- Women & Children’s Program