Limiting visitors, promoting hand hygiene and more

Thank you for helping us prevent the spread of Norovirus. The good news is that we may be in a position to reopen some units/floors this week. To achieve that goal we’re taking additional steps regarding visitors and hand hygiene promotion. The following outlines what’s new and ongoing precautions applicable to the VGH campus, UBCH campus and GF Strong.

What’s new

Visitors: At this point we feel it’s necessary to discourage visits to all Vancouver Acute facilities unless absolutely necessary. Where visits are planned, we are asking families and loved ones to limit their visiting party to a maximum of two people. To stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness, clean your hands frequently and again before entering and leaving a health care facility.

Hand hygiene promotion: Hand hygiene monitors are stationed at main entrances to VGH and the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Centre during core business and visiting hours. Monitors are also stationed outside some VGH units. We’re pleased to report that the public has responded positively, and we want to remind all staff, physicians and Residents that the monitors’ message applies to all of us as well. It’s vital that we clean our hands frequently, including when we enter and leave our facilities and units/floors. Please note that dispensers in our common areas contain an alcohol-free sanitizer.

Ongoing precautions

Hand hygiene: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — yes, it’s that vital — we all need to clean our hands frequently and encourage patients and visitors to do the same.

Food storage and meals: We need to remain vigilant about:

• not sharing food
• keeping unit kitchens closed to families and visitors
• cleaning out every unit’s staff fridge daily
• refraining from eating in the cafeteria when working on a unit with Norovirus

Mobile work: We also ask that if your work takes you to more than one floor, visit non-outbreak areas first and then affected areas at the end of the day, unless absolutely necessary.

To ensure you have timely access to the latest information, check your VCH email on a regular basis.

Thank you for your cooperation.