Page 3 of 7: Masking changes at Unity Health effective April 22, 2024

COVID-19 levels in the community are currently low. In consultation with our Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness (WHSW) teams, and with other Toronto region hospitals, we are updating our guidance on staff, physician, volunteer, visitor and patient masking requirements at Unity Health. On Monday, April 22, 2024 the following changes will come into effect. 

Note: These changes do NOT apply to The Houses of Providence (HOP). Long-term care home specific guidelines will be updated separately.

Masking for all clinical interactions is no longer routinely required for staff, physicians, learners and volunteers or visitors in most clinical and patient-facing areas in both the inpatient and ambulatory setting.

Masking is still required on 8PGT (hematology/oncology ward) and in our Medical Day Care Unit (MDCU) at St. Michael’s as some patients in these areas remain at very high risk of severe COVID-19. Active monitoring of the masking approach in these areas will continue. Staff should continue to mask if indicated by their own point-of-care risk assessment (PCRA). 

Masks are still required for staff in these circumstances:

• When providing care to, or within the room of patients on IPAC Additional Precautions where a mask is indicated (e.g. Droplet-Contact precautions) or when specifically required by IPAC or WHSW
• When providing care to, or within the room of patients on our hematology/oncology ward (8PGT) or our Medical Day Care Unit
• During outbreaks if directed by the Outbreak Management Team
• At the discretion of the healthcare worker based on their PCRA as part of routine practices

As masking requirements are relaxed, please note that:

• Visitors who are feeling unwell should not visit.
• Outpatients with respiratory symptoms should continue to mask
• Masks will remain available to all staff, patients and visitors and masks are always welcomein all spaces where they are not required
• If a patient asks that a mask be worn during their care, we encourage staff to mask; if a patient has chosen to be masked, it is also suggested that staff mask when providing care or when in close proximity to the patient
• For inpatients on Droplet-Contact precautions, masks must still be worn, if tolerated, when outside their room (e.g. during transport to medical imaging)

These guidelines apply to all staff, physicians, volunteers, visitors and patients. Unity Health will remain a mask-friendly space and all are welcome to continue masking in all areas. Masks will continue to be supplied by Unity Health at all facility entrances and will also be available in clinical areas. Masking requirements are subject to change depending on virus activity in the hospital and community, and it may be necessary to bring back mask requirements for the fall/winter respiratory virus season or when community levels of COVID-19 and other respiratory illness activity are high. 

Resources to communicate this change:

• A printable posterto display in hospital units
• A letterfor inpatients
• A scriptdetailing masking information

Information about the new masking guidelines will be available on Unity Health’s website and updated posters will be posted at hospital entrances. If you have further questions, please contact the Infection, Prevention and Control team for your unit.