Toronto (June 10, 2003) - The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, which voluntarily heightened SARS precautions three weeks ago, has now been removed from the restricted facilities list. As the SARS situation in GTA hospitals continues to improve, Toronto Rehab is cautiously easing some precautionary measures while remaining hyper-vigilant to the risk of SARS. To protect patients, staff and visitors, many precautions continue, including screening, frequent hand washing, universal infection control and the use of protective gear.
Changes effective June 9:
- All inpatient and outpatient services have resumed at University Centre.
- New patients will be accepted, if they pass screening.
- Visitors are welcome at all our sites, providing they pass screening. If they do pass screening, they will be asked to wear a name tag and a surgical mask.
- If a visitor does not want to wear a surgical mask, he/she will be asked to leave the building.
- Patients may have more than one visitor at a time. Children under 14 are not permitted except for compassionate reasons and for critically ill patients.
- Visiting hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. To help ease traffic at our screening desks, we ask that visitors not arrive between 2:30 and 4 p.m.
- All staff, students and volunteers in contact with patients must wear an N95 mask and goggles, and practice frequent hand washing. (At Rumsey Centre, mask and goggles are not required.)
• Outpatients must wear a surgical mask. (This does not apply to Rumsey Centre.) - Inpatients must wear a surgical mask when moving from their unit to a therapy area or when in therapy with outpatients.
Screening continues at Toronto Rehab's five centres, and anyone who fails will not be permitted to enter our buildings.
We thank everyone for their ongoing patience and cooperation.
