The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital says it continues to review its inpatient visitation protocols to keep high-risk patients, families, and staff safe.
“While we remain in the COVID-19 pandemic, we must continue to assess and review protocols considering COVID-19 trends and the risk of community transmission. We thank the community for their continued support and our staff for the care they deliver to our patients,” a statement from the InterHealth Canada-run TCI Hospital said.
TCI Hospital said it continues to allow just two visitors per patient, who are to be pre-screened.
“We continue to allow two visitors per patient. These persons should be made known to the staff so they can be recorded in the medical records in all cases,” Stating that the two individuals must adhere to the COVID-19 Protocols.
“The two named visitors must wear masks, practice social distancing and hand sanitisation, and avoid visiting if they have any COVID-19-related symptoms or infectious issues that would make them an infectious risk to our vulnerable and high-risk patients,” TCI Hospitals outlined.
The release added: “The named visitors must present to security with their government picture ID to ensure we can appropriately confirm the named visitors identified by our patients as this is a security measure.
“All visitors to the inpatient unit must have a COVID-19 lateral flow test (antigen test) performed in their name, confirmed by their ID, as we detected that a few persons had used test results with other persons' data.
“The lateral flow test result is valid for up to five (5) days from the day it was taken and will need to be repeated for visits extended beyond five days.”
TESTING SERVICES AT THE HOSPITAL
InterHealth Canada stated that visitation to the inpatient unit remains from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., stating that COVID-19 Antigen/Lateral flow test can be done on weekdays free of charge from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the laboratory at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the laboratory at Cockburn Town Medical Centre.
“COVID-19 Antigen/Lateral flow tests can be obtained privately through your family physician and the Ministry of Health's community screening locations. An Identification Card must accompany all test results.
“Please avoid using the Emergency Department for community testing or visitor testing for visitation as the team is focused on providing care to emergency patients,” the news release continued.
SURGICAL SUITES ELECTIVE PROCEDURES
On the matter of surgical suites elective procedures, the hospital said: “One named person will be allowed for the admission of any surgical patient and return for the discharge of the said patient. This accompanying person will not require a lateral flow or rapid test.
“One named support person, i.e., parent or guardian of a minor or mentally challenged patient, will be allowed for the admission of the minor or mentally challenged patient.
“Because he/she will be in the unit for prolonged periods, they must complete a lateral flow test, valid for up to 5 days. The parent or guardian will present a result sheet or card and, with their ID, to security to obtain their visitor’s badge.”