General infection prevention instructions for visits in health care and residential facilities

Each health care facility has its own instructions, policies and recommendations regarding visits and the presence of caregivers in order to protect the health of users and prevent the spread of germs.

The facility’s general instructions for visits must be followed at all times. In some situations, more restrictive measures may apply:

• to ensure the protection of more vulnerable people (e.g., immunocompromised people)
• in specialized units (e.g., oncology, organ transplants, etc.)
• in facilities where there is an outbreak

The presence of caregivers or visitors is allowed and valued in all health care and residential facilities in order to provide meaningful support.

Family members, caregivers, visitors, including young children, must follow these instructions:

• Perform hand hygiene
• Take steps for limiting the spread of respiratory infectious diseases
• Postpone the visit for anyone who has symptoms of an infectious disease and throughout the contagious period:
  • If there are signs of respiratory infection (e.g., COVID-19, flu, cold) such as fever or cough, postpone visits until the end of contagiousness, e.g. for at least 10 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms
  • If there are signs of gastroenteritis, such as diarrhea or vomiting, postpone visits until 48 hours after the last gastroenteritis symptoms

The visit must also be postponed if the person has been advised to self‑isolate because they are suspected of being infected, or waiting on a test or a test result for any other contagious disease such as whooping cough, measles, etc.

In an exceptional situation where the visit cannot be postponed, it must be discussed with the user’s health care team.

It is also important to follow additional precautions and instructions at the door of the room or unit, when required.