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PATIENTS and visitors policy update for government and private hospitals, health centres and health facilities

PRESS INFO

PATIENTS AND VISITORS POLICY UPDATE

FOR GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE

HOSPITALS, HEALTH CENTRES AND HEALTH FACILITIES

 

Wednesday, 24 Rejab 1444 / 15 February 2023 – Following the announcement of the latest amendments to the COVID-19 control measures which will commence today, Wednesday, 15th February 2023. The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public about the patients and visitors policy update for government and private hospitals, health centres and health facilities.

 

The update of the policy are as follows:

​Patients and Visitors Policy Update for Government and Private Hospitals, Health Cent​res and Health Facilities
Use of face masks

The use of face mask is only mandatory in clinical areas when in the premises of a hospital, health centre or health facility.

Definition of clinical areas:

Clinical areas are areas where encounters between healthcare workers and patients occur, and such encounters include medical procedures, treatments, consultations, and obtaining medication.

For example, the Emergency Department, registration counters, wards, clinics, pharmacies, operating theatre, radiology and adjacent waiting areas and corridors close to wards or where medical procedures, treatment, consultation are performed and others.

This does not include areas such as canteen or restaurant/cafe, pantries or rest areas for health workers, surau, office, lecture theaters and meeting rooms.

Antigen Rapid Test (ART)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitors are no longer required to do an ART before visiting inpatients in the wards. However, ART is still encouraged.

 

ART will still be done for patients being admitted to the hospital for treatment. Patients with COVID-19 will be treated in designated isolation wards.

 

However, there are areas or clinics that may have a need for patients to do an ART.

 

ART is required for outpatients receiving treatment or procedures, such as:

  1. Emergency Department: patients with severe / serious pain and will likely require admission to the hospital, as well as patients with influenza like-illness (ILI) such as flu and cough.
  2. Endoscopy
  3. Dental procedures
  4. Surgery or Operating theatre
  5. High risk areas such as Chemotherapy Unit and Hematology Unit
  6. Flu Clinic
VISITORS TO THE WARD

To avoid the risk of infection and to ensure that patients admitted to the ward get adequate rest and receive timely care and treatment:

  1. Only two (2) designated visitors (not including carer) are allowed per patient per visiting session during visiting hours.
  2. Children under the age of 12 years old are not allowed to enter the ward/unit.
  3. Visitors are only allowed to visit patients in low risk zone wards (cold zone wards).
  4. Visitors are not allowed to visit patients in holding wards, isolation wards or any wards with restricted access.
  5. Visitors are allowed with patient's permission to do video calls with family but are not allowed to do video recordings of staff, other patients or the wards.
     

    Only one (1) visitor allowed to accompany patient for appointment/medicine collection.

    All visitors must ensure they:
  1. Wear face masks at all times.
  2. Keep their voices down and avoid making loud noises.
  3. Wash their hands with soap and water or use the hand sanitizer before and after visit.
  4. Keep their mobile phones switched off or on silent mode.
  5. Do not visit patients if they are unwell or sick.
  6. Respect the privacy of other patients.
  7. Refraining from eating and drinking in the ward.
CARER

Only one (1) carer per patient is allowed.

  1. Change of carer for each patient is allowed on the condition that the replacement needs to do an ART.
  2. The carer must ensure to:
    1. Wear face mask at all times.
    2. Keep their voices down and avoid making loud noises
    3. Wash hands with soap and water or use the hand sanitizer regularly.
    4. Keep mobile phone switched off or on silent mode.
    5. Respect the privacy of other patients.
COVID-19 Patients

COVID-19 patients are not allowed to receive routine procedures such as dental procedures.

However, COVID-19 patients who are experiencing worsening symptoms can seek treatment at the hospital or nearby health centres and should inform healthcare staff that they are positive for COVID-19.

 

For more information, members of the public can call Talian Darussalam 123 or visit the website www.moh.gov.bn or follow MOH's social media: @mohbrunei.

- END -

​Reference:    KK/PR/2023

Date:              24 Rejab 1444 / 15 February 2023


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