This respiratory illness season, wearing a mask is required in patient and resident areas at Sunnybrook. Read our visitor guidelines »

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Visiting the hospital

Handwashing is still the best protection against infection.


Visiting the Hospitalperson washing hands

Patients who are in hospital may be vulnerable to infection. It is important that you follow the hand hygiene guidelines that are posted around the hospital. Please keep yourself and others safe by using the hand-wash provided at the Stop - Squirt - Go stations, not visiting if you are unwell and refrain from having contact with other patients.

We ask that you do not visit if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection including cough, sore throat, runny nose and/or fever
  • Fever within the last 24 hours
  • Conjunctivitis (eye infection or pink eye)
  • Chicken pox, shingles, measles or mumps
  • Infectious rashes or concerns of possible transmission of a communicable disease
  • If you are suffering from any of these symptoms please see your doctor and/or delay your visit until the symptoms have gone.

As a Patient

Washing hands is the best way to fight the spread of infection. Wash your hands frequently. It is a good idea to ask everyone - your health care team and visitors – to wash their hands.

Check first before you bring food, send flowers, or bring the kids

While flowers, young visitors, and home-baked goodies spread cheer, they may not be allowed. Always check first with the nurse on duty.

Follow special precautions, if necessary

If the person you are visiting is on “isolation precautions”, talk to the nurse before entering the room to find out what steps you will have to take, such as wearing a mask or other protective clothing.

Don’t contribute to the clutter

Limit the patient’s personal items. Less clutter eases the critical job of cleaning hospital rooms. Keep patient items off the floor and away from waste containers.