Your Safety

Clean hands help prevent the spread of germs that can cause infections. In fact, washing hands with soap and water, or cleaning them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay healthy.

We ask that everyone at our hospitals to maintain clean hands. As a patient, caregiver or visitor, you may ask your health care team to do the same. For your convenience, alcohol-based hand rub is available at the entrance to all clinical units, in patient rooms and at nursing desks. Additionally, soap and paper towels are available at sinks in all washrooms and patient rooms.

For more information and tips, please read the patient, caregiver and visitor hand hygiene information sheet.

Helping to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses in our hospitals is everyone’s responsibility. Our staff and doctors are specially trained in infection prevention measures, but we rely on the help of our patients and visitors. To help prevent the spread of infectious illnesses, we ask all patients and visitors to follow these guidelines:

• All visitors are asked to clean their hands upon arrival at the hospital and before and after visiting a patient. Patients are encouraged to clean their hands often, especially after touching shared surfaces, before and after eating, and after going to the bathroom.
• Please do not visit the hospital if you:
  • have cold or flu symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose)
  • have unexplained gastrointestinal problems (upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea)
  • have open wounds, sores or rashes
  • have been exposed to measles or chicken pox in the past 21 days and you are not vaccinated or have not had these illnesses before.
• If a patient requires additional precautions (contact, droplet, airborne), visitors are required to follow infection prevention measures and wear personal protective equipment, as directed by the healthcare team.

For the safety and comfort of those with allergies and sensitivities, please respect that the hospital is scent-sensitive environment and do not wear any scented products or bring flowers with scents into the hospital. Other items that you should not use or bring when you visit the hospital include:

• Perfumes and colognes
• Scented fabric softeners, stain removers and laundry detergents
• Scented soaps and deodorants
• Scented shampoos and hair products
• Scented body powders and lotions

Hamilton Health Sciences is a 100% smoke-free environment. In Ontario, it is illegal to smoke on hospital property. This includes cannabis and vaping products. It’s important that patients, visitors, and staff abide by no-smoking laws in order to protect everyone from exposure to second-hand smoke.

We are pleased to offer a number of smoking-cessation supports to our patients. If you’re interested in quitting smoking, speak with a member of your healthcare team.

We make every effort to provide a latex safe environment for patients, visitors, employees and volunteers. For the health and safety of our patients and staff, please do not bring latex balloons or other latex products into the hospital. Latex balloons are prohibited in all Hamilton Health Sciences facilities as they can cause allergic reactions in some people. Alternatively, MYLAR (shiny foil) balloons may be brought into the hospital.

Patient and visitor use of cell phones is prohibited in all areas of the hospital except for lobbies, cafeterias, public hallways, and business offices. Mobile devices must be turned off when entering clinical areas.

All mobile device users are asked to maintain at least one meter from any medical device when in common areas of the hospital.

During your stay, you may hear a “code” announcement or fire alarm. Our staff and doctors participate in regularly scheduled emergency drills. This is our way of ensuring we are fully prepared in the event of an emergency. Rest assured that your healthcare team is well-trained and prepared to assist you during any emergency situation.

If you hear the fire alarm or other code announcement, please wait for direction from a member of your healthcare team before taking any action, or ask if you’re unsure.

Hamilton Health Sciences has security personnel at each of our hospitals and centres at all times. Our Security teams help to keep our patients, visitors, and staff safe. If you have a safety or security concern, please speak with a member of your healthcare team or other hospital staff member who will notify Security if necessary.