Partnership Agreement

As a visitor to Baycrest’s main complex, we ask you to always remember that this is home to hundreds of people, many of whom are frail and whose health status is very delicate, and that there are hundreds of other people living in the community who come to Baycrest for other health and social needs who also need a safe environment.

As such there are some important steps you must take to ensure that we keep the main complex, safe, comfortable and focused on the well being of the people who rely on Baycrest.

Follow the screening carefully

The screening in place at Baycrest entrance(s) is an essential tool to protecting our clients, staff, volunteers and all visitors from infectious diseases including SARS. It is critical that you read the screening information carefully every time you come to Baycrest and answer the questions accurately before entering. This applies whether you are self screening or if you are required to complete a screening form.

Do not come into the building if you could be infectious or if you are feeling unwell

If you are feeling unwell, or have been exposed to someone with unexplained respiratory symptoms, you should not come into Baycrest. This is one of the most important steps in protecting the health of the people who live here and receive care and service at our organization. The average person may be able to fight off an infectious disease but that same illness could be devastating to our clients.

In particular, you should not come into Baycrest if you have ANY of the following symptoms of SARS: Unexplained muscle aches, severe fatigue, shortness of breath, feel feverish, had shakes or chills in the last 24 hours, have a severe headache worse than usual or a cough which started in the last 7 days. In addition, you should not come into Baycrest when you have the common cold because during the first few days you may be infectious.

Take action if you begin to feel unwell while at Baycrest

It is possible that during your visit you may begin to feel unwell…even something as simple as a sore throat or fever. At the first sign of illness, you should leave as these could be signs of an illness that could be serious, especially to clients at Baycrest. For everyone’s sake, most importantly the vulnerable people we serve, you should immediately reduce any possibility of transmission by leaving the facilities.

If you have any of the symptoms of SARS, as outlined above, you should obtain a mask from a staff member and leave Baycrest and proceed to a hospital emergency department. You should also contact Public Health at (416) 338-7600. If you are experiencing the signs of a cold, you should also obtain a mask from a staff member and leave Baycrest and only return when you are feeling better.

SARS has taught us that vigilance is important and that no one should take any symptom for granted.

Follow infection control procedures

One of the most important forms of protection against the spread of infection is the frequent and proper washing of hands. You will have seen signage and stations throughout the main complex. Please use the alcohol wash when you enter the building and wash your hands thoroughly and frequently while at Baycrest. If you have children with you, please ensure they do the same.

In addition, if a client is put on infection control precautions, it is essential you follow the nursing staff’s instructions. Depending on which precautions are required, it may be necessary at times for either the client or visitors to wear masks, gowns, gloves or goggles. As well, in some circumstances, we may need to restrict visitors for a period of time and if the client has a Private Companion, they may not be able to be with the client during the time the client is considered infectious. These are not steps we take lightly, but ones that are necessary if there is a concern serious infection could be present.

Help children to be smart visitors

Children are welcome visitors as they bring quality of life to clients. However, they should not come to Baycrest if unwell and, on an honour system, we ask that children under the age of 12 be accompanied by an adult. If Baycrest were to go into an “outbreak mode” and visitors were limited and had to wear a mask, children under 14 would not be allowed to visit.

Keep lines of communication open with staff

There are many different ways to keep informed about what is going on at Baycrest, but we need to hear from you as well. If you are concerned about a change in a client’s health status please tell a nursing staff member immediately. Identifying a change early is very important to everyone. If you are concerned that someone is not following infection control practice, please tell a staff member immediately. And if you have any suggestion or comment that is not necessarily urgent, in addition to communicating directly with staff, you can fill out a Speak Your Mind form, located by all of the elevators.

Baycrest has a hotline you can call at any time for important updates (416) 785-2500 ext. 4444; check the website for similar information; and we produce a family newsletter which is distributed throughout the Centre and also available on the website.

Keeping lines of communication open is important for everyone’s sake.

Help us get the message out

We ask that you help us to communicate these important points to your family members, and other visitors. In addition, if you employ a Private Companion it is important to communicate this information to them so that together we can ensure Baycrest is a safe and comfortable place for everyone.

Get to know Baycrest policies

Baycrest has developed policies to ensure we have a safe environment for everyone and help ensure we have positive relationships between everyone at the Centre….staff, families, clients, volunteers and private companions. Highlights of the policies are available in the client orientation packages and through staff.

Baycrest takes great pride in the partnership it has between staff, families, clients, volunteers, private companions and the community. It is one of our greatest strengths.