Page 6 of 7: Masking changes at Unity Health effective Oct. 15, 2024

COVID-19 is now at a moderate community transmission leading into influenza (viral) season. Based on provincial and local guidance, we are updating our masking requirements at Unity Health. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 the following changes at Unity Health will come into effect after consultation with our Infection, Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness teams.

Note: Long-term care home specific guidelines will be updated separately. A communication will be sent out with details of changes at the Houses of Providence (HOP).

For staff, physicians learners and volunteers

Masking is now required:

• When providing direct care to patients, residents or clients or when within close proximity to patients, residents or clients in inpatient and outpatient areas
  • This includes masking when entering a patient’s room, when assessing or caring for patients in an exam room or when assisting or transporting patients through the facility

Note – in situations where clinicians feel that masking is not in the best interest of the patient, it can be omitted (with the patient’s consent) – for example when communicating key information to patients that are hearing impaired, or when having sensitive end of life discussions.

Masking is optional in the following spaces:

• Public non-clinical areas (e.g. cafeterias, lobbies), or in clinical areas isolated from patients (e.g. nursing stations) or where patient contact is transient (e.g. walking down a hallway in a clinical area)

For visitors

• Visitors will be asked to mask in clinical areas where patients are present, including patient rooms and waiting areas
• Visitors who are feeling unwell should not visit.
• Visitors should not be turned away if unwilling to mask

For patients/clients

• All patients should mask in waiting areas
• Outpatients should mask in clinical areas where other patients are present, including during group therapy
  • Outpatients are not required to mask in exam/assessment rooms
• Inpatients are  not required to mask inside their rooms
• Care should never be denied to patients unable or unwilling to mask

Unity Health is a mask-friendly space and all are welcome to continue masking in all areas. Masks are available at all facility entrances and in clinical areas. Masking requirements are subject to change depending on virus activity in the hospital and community. Updates will become available as needed.

Resources to communicate this change:

• A letter for inpatients
• A script detailing masking information

Masking plays an important role in prevention the transmission of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses. However, it is not perfect, and is only one of many important strategies to reduce risk.

Other important measures include staff and patient vaccination, hand hygiene, avoiding visiting or coming to work when sick with an acute respiratory infection, as well as infection prevention and control measures such as early recognition of patients with symptoms of a respiratory viral infection, combined with prompt testing, isolation and the use of droplet-contact precautions.

Information about the current masking requirements 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 area.