
Montfort and COVID-19
Montfort is actively involved in the fight against COVID-19.
- What is the situation?
- What are we doing?
- Is the Emergency open?
- Are there COVID-19 patients at Montfort?
- Can I visit a patient in the hospital?
- Can a family member deliver personal belongings to a patient?
- What to do if I think I have the novel coronavirus?
- Should I go to my appointment at the Montfort?
- I have flu-like symptoms. Should I still come to my appointment?
- Will I get sick if I come to the hospital?
- Do you have enough supplies to treat me?
- Do you accept donations?
- Might I be sharing a room with a COVID-19 patient?
- Do you have enough room for coronavirus patients?
- Are you able to handle a pandemic?
- What can I do to prevent my loved ones and myself from getting COVID-19?
- What is happening with elective surgeries and procedures?
- Where can I go to get more information?
What is the situation?
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve locally, Montfort and Ottawa area hospitals are taking further action to ensure the health and safety of patients, families and our workforce. In-line with guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health, hospitals in the Ottawa area are taking a planned approach to postpone non-urgent surgeries, procedures, and outpatient programming and clinics.
What are we doing?
Montfort and the other hospitals in Ottawa are always here to care for patients, and are working together to find solutions to protect safety, while continuing to provide excellent care.
Surgeries, procedures, and outpatient programming and clinics to be postponed are selected on a set of clear criteria to carefully consider the health-care needs of our patients while maintaining their safety. Hospital staff are notifying patients, so that they have all the information they need regarding their care.
Reducing activity in operating rooms and other areas of the hospital allows the hospitals to be ready to take on potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases, as the situation continues to evolve. Hospitals in the Ottawa area have also stepped up their infection prevention and control to help reduce the possible spread of COVID-19.
Is the Emergency Department open?
Our Emergency Department remains open at all time.
Are there COVID-19 patients at Montfort ?
Can I visit a patient in the hospital?
When: Visits are permitted from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on days established according to a fair schedule for each sector of the hospital.
Duration of visit: one hour
Number of visitors alllowed: one person
How: The hospitalized person gives his or her health care team the name of one loved one who can visit. The designated individual then calls 613-746-4621 ext. 2271 to book an appointment to visit their loved one.
There are some exceptions for visiting outside of designated hours during the pandemic:
- Care partner and exceptional circumstances (e.g., end-of-life patient): the days, hours and length of visits can be adjusted to suit the patient's needs. Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To discuss this with the nurse in charge of the patient, call 613-746-4621, press 0; tell our operator the name of your loved one and ask to speak to the nurse in charge.
- Emergency Room: Visitors are not allowed except in exceptional situations. Please discuss this with the nurse at the Emergency reception desk if you have any concerns.
- Patients with appointments: Visitors are not permitted to accompany patients with appointments, except in exceptional situations. If an escort is required, please mention it when making the appointment, and the team will evaluate your request according to the patient's needs.
- Family Birthing Centre: Only one person is allowed at to accompany the person giving birth, for the duration of their stay at the hospital.
Masks
- to a patient: a surgical mask;
- to other visitors: a mask, if they don't already have one. However, if the visitor visits a patient in isolation, the visitor will have to follow the care team's instructions, which include additional protective equipment.
Patients and visitors must wear a mask at all times while in the hospital, as recommended by the health autorities in Canada and Ottawa Public Health.
If you have any questions about our visiting policy, please contact patient@montfort.on.ca or 613-746-4621 ext. 2263.
To talk to a patient
We encourage family and friends of hospitalized patients to stay in regular contact with their loved one, as each patient has access to a telephone in their room.
- To reach a patient, call 613-746-4621 and enter the room phone number.
- If you do not know the patient's room number, call 613-746-4621 and press 0.
- We also launched a new service to help you connect with a patient.
- Call 613-746-4621, press 0.
- Tell our operator what your loved one's name is and ask to speak to the nurse in charge of their care.
- The charge nurse will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis.
- Please note that children are not allowed at the Family Birthing Centre.
- All children must be constantly supervised by the accompanying adult and must be able to follow the instructions of the staff members.
- If staff members determine that a child cannot meet these requirements, they will ask the parent and child to leave the hospital.
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In the hospital, you must wear this mask at all times.
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Do not touch your mask. If you touch it, wash your hands.
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If you need to take the mask off for a few moments to eat or drink, make sure you are within two metres (six feet) of the person you are visiting, other patients and staff.
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Keep a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from others.
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Elevators are limited to two people at a time. If the elevator is already occupied, wait for the next one.
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When arriving at the unit, stop at the station to advise the clerk of your presence.
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A sign will be posted on his or her room door.
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Unit staff will explain how to put on personal protective equipment before entering the room and how to remove it when you leave.
Thank you for your support in keeping our patients and our team members safe.
Can I bring something to a hospitalised patient?
Yes, it is possible. A loved one can bring a package in a bag identified with the patient's name. The person will have to answer the screening questions before entering the main entrance.
A clerk will make sure to have the correct room number for the patient.
The person will then be given a clear plastic bag in which to place the items to be given to the patient, and place the bag on a table.
A porter will pick up the bag and deliver it to the patient.
What to do if I think I have the novel coronavirus?
If you feel that you need to be tested for COVID-19, Montfort manages two testing and care centres in Ottawa : one on Heron Road and the other one in the Ray-Friel Recreation Complex (Orléans). They are open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 3:30 PM. To learn more and book an appointment: https://hopitalmontfort.com/en/heron-and-ray-friel-covid-19-care-clinics-offer-online-booking
For the complete information on COVID testing in Ottawa, visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
If you are in distress (e.g., severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, fainting, or significant worsening of a chronic condition), go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Should I go to my appointment at the Montfort?
Montfort remains open, and we are relauching some of our services. Patients who have an appointment will receive a call.
The hospital is safe for patients and visitors.
I have flu-like symptoms. Should I still come to my appointment?
You should call ahead to the clinic in case it is necessary to reschedule your appointment: 613-746-4621, then press 3. If your appointment is not cancelled, people at the control centre in the hospital's main entrance will ask you to wear a mask and wash your hands before going to your appointment.
Will I get sick if I come to the hospital?
Your safety is important to us. We have safety measures put in to prevent the spread of infections. It is also important to wash your hands frequently, including when entering and leaving the hospital and before eating or drinking.
Do you have enough supplies to treat me?
Montfort – like other hospitals in the region – has supplies put aside for events like this. We have appropriate supplies to get us through a hurdle should we face one.
Do you accept donations?
Money donations
At Montfort, our heroes need heroes too. That's why the Montfort Foundation has created a COVID-19 emergency fund, which allows you to make an online donation. The money raised will be used to meet our growing needs related to the pandemic—both for our frontline workers and our patients. Thank you for considering making a contribution during these difficult times.
Material donations
While we are not making a call-out for donations of Personal Protection Equipment, we are very grateful to those who have donated or are offering to donate material such as
- isolation gowns
- masks
- gloves
- face shields
- disinfectant wipes and
- hand sanitizer
Might I be sharing a room with a COVID-19 patient?
If a patient is suspected of having COVID-19, they are put on isolation precautions – they would not be sharing a room with a patient admitted for other medical reasons.
Do you have enough room for coronavirus patients?
We have a tiered surge plan identifying space and staffing in the event of an increase of COVID-19 patients.
Are you able to handle a pandemic?
We have decades of experience dealing with new viruses and a strong patient care team. There is work happening at every level, planning for different scenarios and ensuring we are ready for patients who might need acute medical attention.
What can I do to prevent my loved ones and myself from getting COVID-19?
To better protect the people around you, follow Ottawa Public Health's recommendations.
- Wear a mask or face covering when you are in indoor public spaces and when you cannot maintain a physical distance of two metres (six feet).
- Isolate yourself from others when you are sick (and get tested promptly if you have COVID-like symptoms).
- Stay two metres (six feet) apart from those outside your household.
- Exercise proper hand hygiene; wash your hands regularly or use sanitizer especially before touching your face.
What is happening with elective surgeries and procedures?
Hospitals in the region are working together to develop a medical framework that creates a fair process guided by principles and ethics, and resumes scheduled surgeries and procedures in the right way, at the right time. Hospitals will ensure that criteria set out by the government are met in the region as a whole.
If you are in need of urgent care, we encourage you to come to our Emergency Departments. It is safe and we are here to care for you.
Where can I go to get more information?
Ottawa Public Health has the most up to date information on their website. We encourage you to go there for more detailed information about COVID-19.
Thank you for your support in keeping our patients safe.