b'CULTURE CHANGEtheir concerns are heard; ensuring-Did the home document the communicated to residentsdecisions are based on rules andreasoning in a clear way thatand caregivers? standards; and ensuring processes,highlights the need for -Are there exceptions onpolicies and decisions arethe restriction?compassionate grounds? responsive to residents -Did the home clearlyindividual needs.communicate the risk of havingBefore implementing restrictions Addressing common visitation restricted due to visitation, long-term care homes complaint issues to behaviour?can ask themselves these and other In recent years, restriction to-Was the decision-making processquestions to gauge whether thevisitation has been one of the topclearly communicated?approach taken is fair. complaints Patient Ombudsman-Are there ways visitation couldreceived from long-term carebe facilitated, for example, in aBy taking proactive steps to ensure home residents private room or with supervision?resident and caregiver participation, as and caregivers.For restrictions that affect a largerwell as clear communication, many top complaint issues may be mitigated How are these kinds of complaintsgroup of residents (for example, dueat the outset. LTCTreviewed and how could to an outbreak): long-term care homes use-Is the restriction based on fairness to proactively address evidence and proportional to the these concerns?risk a visitor may pose?Craig Thompson is Ontarios -Has the home considered howWhen Patient Ombudsmanthe restriction will affect residentPatient Ombudsman. He receives a complaint aboutmental health/well-being andhas more than 25 years of restrictions to visitation, some ofways to mitigate these effects?experience working for public the key questions asked are: -Is the restriction time limited andand private organizations in theFor restrictions that affect oneonly in place for as long health care, design sciences specific family:as needed?and communications sectors. Have the reasons for theFor more information,Was the decision based on evidence of behaviour orrestrictions and the plan tovisit patientombudsman.ca.safety risk?remove them been GINCARE HealthWe Care - We Serve - We Deliver24/7GINCARE Staffing Solutions Inc.Caring is our way of lifeLeader in talent acquisition - RNs, RPNs & PSWs416-546-2236|416-628-5612|info@gincarehealth.com|www.gincarehealth.comwww.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 23'