Important information for your surgery or ambulatory care appointment
We have been working to implement new measures to help keep patients, clients, staff, and our community safe.
To help you prepare and have the best experience, please read this information to learn more about what you will experience before, and during your appointment.
Wearing a mask within our facilities
As of April 6, 2023, masks are no longer mandatory in our facilities. For more information, please read the Ministry of Health's news release.
Before coming for your appointment
- If you have regular visits booked, you can follow the instructions given to you by specific units and clinics (such as the weekly update that renal units give to patients).
- Patients will be pre-screened for symptoms which includes being asked similar screening questions at several points prior to procedure date and again on arrival the day of their procedure.
- If you are scheduled for a procedure and then become unwell, it is important to let your care providers and/or unit know as instructed using contact information provided.
- To keep everyone safe, we continue to follow visitor restrictions to allow essential visits only. If you need assistance on the day of your procedure (e.g. for mobility, translation support, etc.) this must be limited to one family member or support person.
- Plan to arrive as close to the time of your appointment as possible. This helps prevent crowded waiting areas.
- When arriving at the hospital or clinic site, please enter the building by designated entrances and follow signs and instruction provided, such as using hand sanitizer.
During your appointment
- Each patient will be asked questions to assess for cold or flu-like symptoms and may be asked to wear a mask.
- As patients move through the hospital or clinic, they may notice signs as a reminder to maintain physical distance from others.
- Your care team, staff, and doctors may be wearing different types of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, gowns and eye protection. This is for your safety, and theirs.
Postponed procedures
- If you have had surgical and ambulatory procedures postponed, your care providers will continue to contact you to reschedule your appointment.
- Urgent procedures will be prioritized and will proceed in a way that maintains patient and staff safety.
Scheduling and location of procedures
- In an effort to provide health care services to as many people as possible, procedures that do not need an operating room or an overnight stay in hospital may be performed at an ambulatory clinic or in an alternative health care facility.
- Procedures will be scheduled with time to accommodate additional enhanced cleaning and infection prevention and control measures.
Learn more about how Island Health is resuming surgeries as part of the BC Government’s Surgical Renewal Plan.
