Patients, essential caregivers will now have option to pre-screen online before coming to the hospital
(Peterborough, ON) – Beginning Wednesday, June 1, Peterborough Regional Health Centre will offer a fast pass screening option for patients and essential caregivers at both the main entrance and the Emergency Department (ED) entrance.
The pre-screening tool is available online at prhcscreening.ca and can be completed anytime within the 24 hours before the patient or caregiver comes to the hospital.
Upon arrival, those who have completed the screening tool will be asked to show their pass on either a device screen or in printed form to enter the hospital building.
The regular screening process will continue to be offered for those who do not complete the fast pass process. All patients and caregivers are strongly encouraged to use the fast pass tool to expedite their entry into the hospital.
All patients and caregivers continue to be required to wear a hospital-provided, medical-grade mask at all times when inside the Health Centre, except in the designated area of the cafeteria, where masks may be removed to eat or drink.
A new, after-hours screening process will also begin at the hospital’s main entrance only on Monday, June 6. Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., anyone requesting access through this entrance must use the buzzer to contact Security and be screened before they are permitted to enter the building.
The ED entrance will continue to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fast pass and regular screening available. This entrance is reserved for patients/caregivers who are coming to the ED or to Labour & Delivery.
A reminder that with very high patient volumes and acuity, individuals who come to the ED for care should expect to wait longer than usual to be seen for all but the most acute illnesses and conditions.
The hospital continues to encourage those considering coming to the ED to assess their illness and consider alternative options for care if their situation is not an emergency:
- Individuals who are registered with a family physician/practitioner should seek non-urgent care through their office before coming to the hospital.
- Health Connect Ontario is a free, confidential service that is available by calling 811 or visiting the website. This service will replace Telehealth Ontario, and provides 24/7 access to non-urgent health advice or information
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For more information: Michelene Ough | Director, Communications | mough@prhc.on.ca
