CKHA moving to a passive screening process

Effective December 1, 2022, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) will move to a passive screening process at its public entrances at both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites.

In line with other hospitals across the province who have phased out the active screening process, CKHA will no longer have staff screeners working at public entrances, hospital officials said in a media release on Monday, November 28, 2022.

“Passive screening will be achieved through signage guiding all individuals through a self-assessment of symptoms before entering the hospital,” CKHA officials ssay.

“Hand sanitizer and medical grade masks will be made available at all public entrances. Additionally, CKHA’s volunteers will be re-initiated to the hospitals’ information desks to assist with wayfinding, and will encourage the public to clean their hands and don a medical mask. Please note volunteers will not be screening individuals entering the building.”

Hospital officials added: “To continue to minimize the risk, CKHA’s masking policy remains in place; this means everyone who enters CKHA’s hospital sites will still be required to wear a medical grade mask during the entirety of their visit. This is consistent with guidance issued by Public Health Ontario.”

To ensure the continuation of enhanced safety measures within the hospital, current access points for the public remain through the Main Entrances, during specified hours, and Emergency Departments 24/7 at both sites and the Ambulatory Care entrance at the Chatham Site, during specified hours, hospital officials say.

“Individuals who are attending any site of CKHA must have a purpose to do so e.g. they are a patient, care partner, contractor, etc.,” hospital officials say.

“The hospital’s Care Partner and Visitor Policy moves to a less restrictive Phase 4 “Post-Active Screening Access”. In this phase, most inpatients may have two care partners at the bedside during visiting hours. Care partners and visitors are expected to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 and/or have a negative test prior to attending CKHA’s sites.”

For full details on CKHA’s Care Partner Access During COVID-19 Policy please consult the hospital’s website www.ckha.on.ca or contact CKHA’s Patient Family Communications Liaisons for specific information when visiting at 519.352.6400, ext. 6917.

“The organization would like to thank its staff screeners who have played an invaluable role during this time,” hospital officials added.

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