Policy on Visiting Hours
POLICY STATEMENT
Wales Home is committed to creating a living environment (both inside the building and on the outside grounds) that is supportive of resident and family centered care, for this reason, an open-door policy with no set visiting hours is in effect. Residents who have loved ones around them have better care, experience fewer medication errors and falls, and have lower rates of transfers to a hospital. No restrictions on visiting hours means that residents receive more emotional support, which improves the residents' emotional health and in turn their well-being.
SCOPE
This policy applies to all residents, representatives, families, and loved ones of Wales Home residents.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure ensure guests are properly assessed and screened, establishing security protocols and simplifying compliance management in the process.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POLICY
The open-door policy regarding no set visiting hours applies to all residents and their representatives / families and loved ones at the Wales Home. However, this open-door access is subject to some restraints such as public health, public or individual interest and the consent of the residents.
Except when a resident chooses to restrict family and other “partners in care,” limitations on the presence of these individuals may be appropriate in exceptional circumstances, such as when:
- There is a legal reason that is documented in the medical chart, (e.g., a restraining order with a court order prohibiting visitors).
- Their behavior creates a direct risk or threat to residents, families, employees, or others in the immediate environment or is disruptive of the functioning of the resident care unit.
- They have a contagious illness or have known exposure to a communicable disease that would jeopardize the resident’s health.
- An infectious disease outbreak in the community requires severe access restrictions (does not apply to situations of palliative care). Wales Home can develop a process for selected family members to have access to the residents and ensure that families understand any risks they may be subject to by choosing to stay with their family members. Compliance of visitors to current infection signage is expected: visitors are expected to report to the nursing station upon arrival if an infection sign is posted at the door entry of the unit or bedroom of the resident.
- Wales Home may choose to limit family movement or access to specific areas within the building (e.g., public areas such as lounges).
- A resident in a shared room requires immediate lifesaving measures (e.g. resuscitation) or a sensitive/private discussion needs to occur. In these instances, those present may be asked to temporarily step out of the room.
- Decisions to restrict or limit presence must be discussed with the residents and documented in the medical chart. Nurses and others on the health team can provide guidance to residents, families and other “partners in care” about honoring privacy and being respectful of other residents and families in proximity or who share the same bedroom. Families and other “partners in care” whose loved ones are sharing rooms are expected to be respectful and honor their privacy. Families are asked to work together with the staff so that their presence does not limit staff access to the residents at any time.
- Visits may be restricted if several emergency codes are called at once.
It is expected that visitors will comply with the code of ethics of the Wales Home and will be respectful of the peace of the other residents living on the unit / in the building. Visitors are asked to respect the life habits of other residents, for example, not arriving in the middle of the night and/or disturbing other residents. Visitors will respect the noise and no light directive when residents are sleeping at night.
Note: The masculine form is used herein merely for the sake of brevity; it encompasses both men and women.
The Résidence Wales Home and CHSLD Wales Inc. shall herein be referred to as the Wales Home.