Frequently Asked Questions

Hand hygiene involves everyone in the hospital, including patients. Hand cleaning is one of the best ways you and your health care team can prevent the spread of many infections. Patients and their visitors should also practice good hand hygiene before and after entering patient rooms.

More information is available at:

•  Ministry of Health and Long Term Care - Patient Safety  
• Public Health Ontario - Just Clean Your Hands campaign

KGH works hard-to create a culture of patient safety involves everyone – health care administration, health -care professionals, and, of course, patients and families. If low hand hygiene compliance rates are identified, we will review infection prevention and control practices to ensure that they align with best practices documents, as well as the Just Clean Your Hands program and introduce educational interventions and make appropriate revisions to our program.

For the purpose of public reporting, data will be reported on an annual basis. The decision was made to report annually so that hospitals were able to submit enough data and that the compliance rate was statistically valid.

Patients should know that their hospital is safe, that the care they receive is topnotch, and that every effort is made to ensure the highest quality of care possible. Public reporting of hand hygiene compliance rates is another helpful measure to ensure the care provided to Ontario patients is even safer, and continues to improve over time. 

A low reported compliance rate does not necessarily mean that health care providers are not performing hand hygiene. The audit tool measures whether health care providers are performing hand hygiene at the right times and the right way. That is why it is vital that hand hygiene compliance rates are viewed in the context of other performance indicators. That said, the analysis of these rates, over time will certainly provide helpful information that can be used to make system improvements in each hospital.

No. Patient safety is a number one priority for all Ontario hospitals. There are numerous checks and balances in place to ensure the safety of public hospitals but hospital care is complicated and depends on many factors. The public reporting of hospitals’ hand hygiene compliance rates is not intended to serve as a measure for hospitals to compare themselves against other organizations, or for the public to use as a measure of where to seek care. Rates can vary from hospital to hospital, month to month. Some hospitals will have lower observation opportunities because they do not have as much direct provider-to-patient care opportunities. Due to the types and patient populations (i.e. mental health) of these hospitals, their rates may seem lower. Like other indicators, it is important to look at hand hygiene compliance rates in a broader context. The rates must be examined in order to get a sense of how hospitals are performing – where they excel and where improvements could be made. It is important to look at all of these indicators in combination.

Health care providers performing hand hygiene is a practice that continues to improve as we learn more about hand hygiene best practices. Both hospitals and the health care system have invested considerable resources to improve hand hygiene in hospitals.

The Public Health Ontario provincial hand hygiene campaign, Just Clean Your Hands, was designed to help hospitals and individuals overcome barriers to proper hand hygiene and improve compliance with hand hygiene best practices. The program recognizes that health care providers are busy and require immediate access to hand hygiene products at the right time in the patient care process.

At KGH, for example, where sinks used to be located inconveniently throughout hospitals, there is now fast and easy access to more than 2,200 alcohol-based hand rubs outside all inpatient rooms and adjacent to patients’ bedsides. There are also more freestanding hand cleaning stations located at all main entrances. In addition, ongoing education sessions are held to ensure health care providers know when and where to clean their hands to ensure patient safety.

Direct observation of hand hygiene practice is done by trained observers using the provincial audit tool. The observer conducts observations openly, recording what they see, with the identity of the health care provider is kept confidential.

The single most common transmission of healthcare-associated infections in a health care setting is via the hands of health care providers.

Health care providers acquire germs from contact with infected patients, or after handling contaminated material or equipment. Hand hygiene is an important practice for health care providers but also involves everyone in the hospital, including patients, families and visitors.

Effective hand hygiene practices in hospitals play a key role in improving patient and health care worker safety, and in preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections.

Hand hygiene is the removal of visible soil and removal or killing of microorganisms from the hands. This can be accomplished using soap and water for visibly soiled hands or an alcohol-based hand rub.

KGH works hard-to create a culture of patient safety involves everyone – health care administration, health -care professionals, and, of course, patients and families. If low hand hygiene compliance rates are identified, we will review infection prevention and control practices to ensure that they align with best practices documents, as well as the Just Clean Your Hands program and introduce educational interventions and make appropriate revisions to our program.

KGH works hard-to create a culture of patient safety involves everyone – health care administration, health -care professionals, and, of course, patients and families. If low hand hygiene compliance rates are identified, we will review infection prevention and control practices to ensure that they align with best practices documents, as well as the Just Clean Your Hands program and introduce educational interventions and make appropriate revisions to our program.

• Pack a 3-day wardrobe, comfy clothes without strings, slippers, personal scent-free toiletries and a medication list.
• Soft covered reading materials, non-spiral bound notebooks, writing and small hobby supplies (i.e. pencils, crayons, markers, word searches and crosswords) are permitted.
• Phones, laptops, and tablets are allowed but have specific usage hours and guidelines.

Any items that can be a threat or danger to patients and/or staff will be stored in a secure patient specific location and illegal items or substances will be confiscated and disposed of.

• Sharp objects, overly-scented items, fire-producing items, inappropriate clothing or items and substances are not permitted.

Please avoid bringing valuables. If items cannot be sent home, they will be stored in a secure location; however, KHSC is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged valuables.

New Employees who are a part of Kronos may notice that there is a delay in the creation of their schedule. This delay can take about a week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your manager. 

New Employees who are a part of Kronos may notice that there is a delay in the creation of their schedule. This delay can take about a week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your manager. 

New Employees who are a part of Kronos may notice that there is a delay in the creation of their schedule. This delay can take about a week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your manager. 

• You know your child best.  If your child has the following symptoms, then you should go to the Emergency Department, COPC Urgent Care, or Urgent Care Centre. 
  • fever in infants less than 3 months
  • fever lasting more than 5 days in children older than 3 months  
  • signs of respiratory distress (working hard to breathe, breathing faster than normal)
  • signs of dehydration with dry mouth or no urine for more than 8 hours.
• Some respiratory illness symptoms are not an emergency and could continue to be cared for at home.  These include:
  • fever, when it stays down in healthy and vaccinated babies and children when treated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen (children appear generally well and playful)
  • nasal congestion and cough (even if it interrupts sleep)
  • vomiting or diarrhea less than 3-4 times a day.
• Remember that there are many different health services available in our community to help you before you turn to emergency or urgent care in the hospital.  Choosing the best option may be faster and save you a hospital visit.
   
• Click here for recommendations on going to the right place for the right care.

• Consider masking in public spaces, isolate children if they are not feeling well, make sure they are vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza, practice good hand hygiene at all times and practice physical distancing whenever possible.
• To learn more about how to care for children with respiratory illnesses such as RSV, influenza and COVID-19, click here. Note that children who have symptoms, including fever, that lasts beyond five days should be seen by a doctor.

Upon discharge, your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on which medications you should continue at home, which medications you should stop at home and which ones you should start taking.

A member of our team will call you the night before your surgery (any time after 2:00 p.m.) to confirm the time that you are required to arrive at KGH’s Same Day Admission Centre which is located on Connell 2. 

The two computer labs at the KGH site are located on Dietary 2 (capacity of 8 people per lab).

The computer lab at the HDH site is located on Jonson 1 (capacity of 6 people).

*Please note that these rooms have a required maximum capacity (listed above) due to COVID-19 restrictions. Physical distancing and masking protocols should be adhered to while in these spaces.

The two computer labs at the KGH site are located on Dietary 2 (capacity of 8 people per lab).

The computer lab at the HDH site is located on Jonson 1 (capacity of 6 people).

*Please note that these rooms have a required maximum capacity (listed above) due to COVID-19 restrictions. Physical distancing and masking protocols should be adhered to while in these spaces.

The two computer labs at the KGH site are located on Dietary 2 (capacity of 8 people per lab).

The computer lab at the HDH site is located on Jonson 1 (capacity of 6 people).

*Please note that these rooms have a required maximum capacity (listed above) due to COVID-19 restrictions. Physical distancing and masking protocols should be adhered to while in these spaces.

Patients and visitors at the HDH site are asked to enter through the Jeanne Mance main entrance off of Brock Street in order to be screened. Patients who are visiting the Urgent Care Centre are still permitted to use that entrance; screening will occur at the door.

Patients at the KGH site are asked to enter at the Davies 1 main entrance off of Stuart Street in order to be screened. Patients seeking care at the Cancer centre are permitted to enter through the Burr 0 entrance off of King Street; screening will occur as they enter. Similarly, patients seeking care at the Emergency Department are still permitted to use that entrance; screening will occur as they enter.

Patients and visitors at the HDH site are asked to enter through the Jeanne Mance main entrance off of Brock Street in order to be screened. Patients who are visiting the Urgent Care Centre are still permitted to use that entrance; screening will occur at the door.

Patients at the KGH site are asked to enter at the Davies 1 main entrance off of Stuart Street in order to be screened. Patients seeking care at the Cancer centre are permitted to enter through the Burr 0 entrance off of King Street; screening will occur as they enter. Similarly, patients seeking care at the Emergency Department are still permitted to use that entrance; screening will occur as they enter.

Patients and visitors at the HDH site are asked to enter through the Jeanne Mance main entrance off of Brock Street in order to be screened. Patients who are visiting the Urgent Care Centre are still permitted to use that entrance; screening will occur at the door.

Patients at the KGH site are asked to enter at the Davies 1 main entrance off of Stuart Street in order to be screened. Patients seeking care at the Cancer centre are permitted to enter through the Burr 0 entrance off of King Street; screening will occur as they enter. Similarly, patients seeking care at the Emergency Department are still permitted to use that entrance; screening will occur as they enter.

• Employees who report to work at the HDH site are permitted to enter through the Sydenham 2 entrance Monday to Friday 6am to 5pm. Between the hours of 5pm and 6am, staff are required to use the Sydenham 1 entrance. On Saturday and Sunday, employees are required to use the Jeanne Mance main entrance off of Brock Street.
• Employees who report to work at the KGH site are permitted to enter through the Watkins 2 or Connell 0 entrances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Employees who report to work at the HDH site are permitted to enter through the Sydenham 2 entrance Monday to Friday 6am to 5pm. Between the hours of 5pm and 6am, staff are required to use the Sydenham 1 entrance. On Saturday and Sunday, employees are required to use the Jeanne Mance main entrance off of Brock Street.
• Employees who report to work at the KGH site are permitted to enter through the Watkins 2 or Connell 0 entrances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Employees who report to work at the HDH site are permitted to enter through the Sydenham 2 entrance Monday to Friday 6am to 5pm. Between the hours of 5pm and 6am, staff are required to use the Sydenham 1 entrance. On Saturday and Sunday, employees are required to use the Jeanne Mance main entrance off of Brock Street.
• Employees who report to work at the KGH site are permitted to enter through the Watkins 2 or Connell 0 entrances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you are submitting your employee documents after hours, please consider submitting the documents digitally (see below)  or use the drop-box on Watkins 4.

You can also submit scanned or photo versions of your employee documents (with the exception of CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK) to @email

**Please note that a delay in submitting your employee documents can result in notifications to your manager and can have impacts on your pay.