For Immediate Release – Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Smiths Falls, ON: COVID-19 continues to impact our lives. The upcoming holiday
season is no exception. In order to continue the hospital’s well thought out and
measured efforts to keep our patients, staff, physicians and environment safe, the
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) will continue to limit what can be
brought into the hospital for in-patients during the holiday season.
This holiday season, PSFDH asks that no food or care packages (gifts, treats, or
flowers) be delivered for patients. It is essential that areas remain clutter-free to allow
for appropriate cleaning.
PSFDH staff may not accept any items, such as gifts, snacks, drinks, shared home
baked treats, or other home baking.
Please know that this is a difficult decision but one that is necessary to ensure the
ongoing safety measures put in place for our patients and staff.
As a reminder, here is the list of essential items that are permitted at this time:
- Glasses
- Hearing aids, Hearing Aid Batteries
- Dentures, Denture Adhesive, Denture Cleaner
- Medications
- Shoes for rehabilitation and Socks
- Clothes on the day of discharge (no earlier)
- Communication device such as iPad, tablet, laptop, cell phone or similar (items
that staff can wipe down) [Don’t forget the charging cord]. PSFDH has WiFi
connection for the patients to use. - Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Shampoo
- Electric Shaver
- Pen
- Comb or Brush
- Walking Aids
- CPAP Machines
Please note that the items brought to patients must be “wipe-able” to support our
stringent infection control practices. This is to keep the patients and the staff safe.
Other holiday suggestions to keep in mind:
- Virtual visits are encouraged and welcomed. Patients and families can
connect online using their personal communication devices (phone, tablet,
etc.). - Anyone (such as a grateful patient or family member) wishing to honour a
staff/physician/volunteer/team is encouraged to make a donation to the
Foundations of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital. Information on
how to make a donation can be found at https://psfdh.on.ca/foundations. - You can also send an online greeting to an inpatient this holiday season via
the PSFDH website: https://psfdh.on.ca/sendgreetings . - Any commercially prepared and individually wrapped donated food items
(from local business) should be coordinated via coviddonations@psfdh.on.ca.
Thank you to the community for your patience, understanding and adherence to our
guidelines. Please note that our visitor guidelines and practices will continue to be
monitored and change as the hospital continues to implement a carefully thought out
and planned approach focusing on safety and quality of care.
People are reminded that if you require urgent/emergent care, please go to your
nearest Emergency Department or call 911.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
About PSFDH:
The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is a fully accredited acute care
health care organization located on two state-of-the-art sites. The hospital is situated in the
heart of the Rideau Canal region and proudly provides health services to more than 60,000
people in the surrounding communities. The hospital delivers a broad range of primary and
secondary services and programs such as emergency care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics,
general and specialty surgical services, dialysis as well as laboratory and infection control
services.
For more information contact:
Dr. Barry Guppy
President & CEO
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital
613-283-2330 ext. 1110
www.psfdh.on.ca
