New ‘one bag, one visitor’ ER policy expands to Stollery, U of A Hospital - BERITAJA

More emergency rooms successful Edmonton are introducing a argumentation to limit really galore group travel a diligent and really galore individual items a diligent could bring successful pinch them.

Alberta Health Services has expanded its 1 bag, 1 visitant argumentation to the ERs successful the University of Alberta Hospital and the Stollery Children’s Hospital, some of which are located side-by-side successful the Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre connected the U of A campus.

All patients and their visitors will now beryllium constricted to 1 container per personification earlier they’re allowed introduction into the ER, and AHS said information will person methods successful spot to unafraid other bags if needed.

Reducing the number of bags laying about will thief by keeping floors clear of tripping hazards, AHS said, arsenic good arsenic ensuring chair and array abstraction is disposable for patients and whoever accompanies them. Exceptions will beryllium made for those who require further bags for aesculapian devices aliases supplies aliases child-care items.

In summation to the caller container policy, AHS says each patients seeking attraction successful the Stollery aliases U of A ERs whitethorn only beryllium accompanied by 1 visitant aliases support person.

AHS said that limit will thief trim sound and supply much abstraction for those who request to beryllium there.

Exceptions whitethorn beryllium made successful immoderate circumstances wherever patients require further support, AHS said, adding that determination will beryllium made by the patient’s attraction team.

The description comes a week aft AHS launched the argumentation astatine the Royal Alexandra Hospital successful cardinal Edmonton, where a stabbing took place past month.

At that time, Royal Alex emergency expert Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti said the argumentation is reasonable arsenic agelong arsenic it’s implemented pinch communal sense.

The expert said the argumentation will beryllium an rumor for families of children.

“The 1 visitor, per patient, I could show you wherever it’s not going to activity — if a young kid comes in,” Francescutti said past week.

“Most of the time, some parents will show up successful emergency.

“So what are you going to do? You’re going to prime 1 genitor complete the other. So it’s not going to activity there.”

The argumentation changes travel aft a stabbing occurred successful the packed Royal Alex emergency room waiting area connected April 3. A conflict collapsed retired betwixt 2 men, starring to a 42-year-old man suffering serious, life-threatening injuries.

Police said the different man was recovered pinch 3 “edged weapons” and has since been charged.

AHS said group pinch questions about the 1 container aliases 1 visitant argumentation could scope retired to its diligent relations squad online aliases astatine 1-855-550-2555.