Open visiting hours at QHC hospitals

Beginning next Tuesday, it will be up to the patient and family to decide when visiting is most needed and wanted at Quinte Health Care’s four hospitals.
The current visiting times of 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. will no longer exist as of Oct. 15.

“This change is really about accepting that patients don’t have ‘visitors’. They have family and friends who are a vital part of their care team,” said Mary Clare Egberts, QHC President and CEO. “It’s all about bringing the patient and their family (whoever they define as family) into the circle of care.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our communities that an exceptional patient experience extends beyond the excellent medicine and procedures patients receive at QHC hospitals. This is an important step in our journey to create an exceptional patient experience,” she added

QHC’s Chief of Staff Dr. Dick Zoutman said in a statement that the move to an open policy is in the best interests of the patient.

“Quinte Health Care embraces family and patient centered care,” explains Dr. Zoutman. “That means we focus what we are doing on the needs of our patients and their families as a unit and our new visiting policy is an expression of that. We recognize the importance of families and their connection with the patients’ well being.”

Zoutman said some of the clinical benefits of having the family part of the circle of care include better healing for the patient, diminished anxiety, and increased understanding what’s happening for the patient and their loved ones. It also provides more opportunity for education as in many cases the family provides care for the patient when they are sent home.

QHC continues to ask that anyone who is feeling unwell; has an infection; has symptoms of respiratory or flu-like illnesses not to come to the hospital as a visitor.