In light of recent developments in the epidemiological situation, CIUSSS West-Central Montreal is returning to the mandatory use of masks in certain settings to better control the transmission of respiratory viruses—a pro-active approach to protect all healthcare users and employees.
According to the National Director of Public Health, Dr. Luc Boileau, each establishment in the public healthcare system has the option to decide whether to make the use of masks mandatory in its facilities.
It should be noted that this policy will be reviewed on a regular basis and may be amended to meet the demands of the evolving circumstances.
Here are the highlights of the current policy:
For visitors / caregivers / family members
- Wearing a mask is mandatory when visiting hospitalized patients or residents of long-term care facilities
- If a potential visitor displays symptoms of infection, that person should postpone any non-essential visit. If an essential visit must be made, the visitor must wear a mask at all times.
For healthcare users
Wearing a mask is mandatory in the following locations or situations:
- In the presence of someone who shows symptoms of a respiratory infection
- On units where a COVID-19 outbreak is occurring
- Masks are mandatory only if tolerated for those at risk for complications from COVID-19 infection—i.e., patients who are immuno-compromised, as well as hemato-oncology, hemodialysis and respiratory patients.
For healthcare workers
Wearing a mask remains mandatory at all times in these clinical areas:
- Oncology clinics
- Oncology units (K7 and D4 at the JGH)
- Hemodialysis
- Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit
- Neonatal Intensive Care
Wearing a mask is mandatory at the point of care or during contact with a user across the CIUSSS in:
- Acute care units, including the Emergency Department and the Psychiatry Department
- External clinics, such as the Dermatology Clinic (at the JGH) and rehabilitation centres
- All SAPA sites, Intermediate Resources (RIs) and family-type facilities (RTFs)
- All rehabilitation hospitals and the Unité transitoire de réadaptation fonctionnelle (UTRF)
- Home-care settings, CLSCs and GMFs
- Wearing a mask is recommended at sites such as Complexe Guimont and Miriam Home, which provide care related to intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder or physical disability (ID-ASD-PD).