Last updated: June 26, 2023
Welcome!
Welcome to CHEO! We know that information changes quickly during the pandemic and we’ve put together this page to help you find popular topics, questions and answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us at webmaster@cheo.on.ca and we’ll be happy to help.
You are safe when you come to CHEO and we always strive to deliver exceptional care. We hope you have a good visit onsite and wonderful day!
Jump to the information you need
Parent/caregiver presence policy | Coming to CHEO | Vaccination | Testing | Virtual Care | PPE and preventing the spread of infection | Pharmacy and medications | More resources and supports
Coming to CHEO?
As of March 8, 2023 we will be implementing changes to our screening process. Fill out the self-screening form online ahead of time and follow our visual prompts (signage) when you arrive. Greeters will be available at the entrance to help if you have any questions.
Can't find what you're looking for?
If you have questions about CHEO's COVID-19 response, call our hotline: 613-737-7600, ext. 6720.
Note: this phone line is not able to provide medical advice. If you need non-urgent medical advice, please contact your family physician or pediatrician, or contact TeleHealth Ontario. In emergencies, please visit your local Emergency Department.
If you have general questions about the COVID-19 virus, visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
Parent, caregiver and visitor presence policies
Please review the following information before arriving at CHEO.
Parents and caregivers are important members of the care team. They actively work with us to provide vital health information only they know and give emotional support in the way only a parent or caregiver can.
For infection prevention and safety reasons, we have limits on how many parents, caregivers and visitors can be onsite at one time. We also limit the number at the bedside.
We appreciate your patience and understanding in keeping everyone safe.
Allowed number of parents, caregivers and visitors
Clinic and Surgical Day Unit appointments
- TWO parents or caregivers are allowed to accompany children and youth while at CHEO.
Emergency Department visits
- Only ONE parent or caregiver is allowed to accompany children and youth while at CHEO.
Staying at the hospital (admitted to CHEO's inpatient units)
- For children and youth admitted to CHEO's inpatient units, a maximum of TWO parents, caregivers or visitors are permitted at the bedside at a time during the day.
- Overnight, only ONE parent/caregiver is permitted to remain onsite.
Note: Caregivers must be 12 years old or older.
Visitors
- Children and youth admitted to CHEO's inpatient units are allowed up to FOUR visitors on site. A maximum of TWO parents, caregivers or visitors are permitted at the bedside at a time during the day.
Exceptions to these rules
We recognize that some families (e.g., people with disabilities) require additional support to help the patients, parents or caregivers. If you are coming to Emergency, please discuss discuss your need for an exception upon arrival at CHEO Emergency.
Who can't enter
Parents, caregivers and visitors who do not pass the entrance screening.
It is important to us that your child or youth receives the care they need. If you require an exception to any of our caregiver/visitor policies to ensure that your child/youth can access care, please contact a member of your care team or reach out to CHEO's Patient Experience team (experience@cheo.on.ca or 613-737-7600 ext. 3078).
Self-screening
To make sure we are always putting safety first and minimizing any chance of transmission of infections, we ask anyone who comes to CHEO, to self-screen before/upon entering.
Fill out the self-screening form online ahead of time and follow our signs when you arrive. Greeters will be available at the entrance to help if you have any questions.
Where to enter
All children, youth, parents/caregivers and visitors must enter through the Main Entrance unless you are seeking care from our Emergency Department. Other entrances are closed.
Frequently asked questions about coming to CHEO
What is the difference between a parent/caregiver and a visitor |
Parent/caregiver: Someone who is over 12 years old and helps a child or youth with activities of daily living – e.g., parent, grandparent, older sibling, legal guardian, etc. A parent/caregiver can be designated by a patient. A parent/caregiver is never considered a visitor because they are a vital part of the care team. Visitor: Someone who is part of a child's or youth’s family or support network (e.g., sibling, extended family member, friend, etc.) but not a designated parent or caregiver. |
Will I be required to wear a face mask while at CHEO? |
Yes. We have two masking zones: mandatory and recommended. Masks are given to all patients, parents, caregivers and visitors at CHEO. Anyone is welcome to wear a personal KN95 or other mask when coming to CHEO, but we will ask you to put the procedural mask we give you on top as we can't quality check everyone's personal mask. Please wear the mask we give you when:
|
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and CHEO
If you are unable to find the answer you're looking for here, our Patient Experience Team is available to answer any of your questions about CHEO's COVID-19 response! Call 613-737-7600, ext. 6720. Note: this phone line is not able to provide medical advice. If you need non-urgent medical advice, please contact your family physician or pediatrician, or contact TeleHealth Ontario. In emergencies, please visit your local Emergency Department.
Remember, if you have general questions about the COVID-19 virus, call or visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
Coming to CHEO
Frequently asked questions |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
What to expect when visiting CHEO: A step by step guide |
||||||||||||||
CHEO is a safe place for children and youth, caregivers and staff. We want you to know exactly what to expect when you come for an in-person appointment. Main entrance screening and online screening
Did you know: CHEO has clear face masks which staff can wear to make it easier for our Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and families to understand and communicate with their care providers! If you would find it helpful for your care provider to wear a clear mask, please let them know when you arrive. Getting to and from your appointment
That’s it! It’s our goal to help you feel as safe as possible when you’re coming to CHEO. We’d love to hear how your experience was returning to CHEO so please let us know on social media, or write to us at experience@cheo.on.ca CHEO Super HelpersHelp your child or youth prepare for their visit to CHEO during COVID-19 using a visual supports story developed by CHEO's Autism Program and Child Life specialists.
|
COVID-19 testing and assessment
COVID-19 testing and assessment for children and youth |
||||||||
COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre at CHEO's main campusDo-It-Yourself Test Kits are available, by appointment, for children and youth ages 2 months to 18 years. The COVID-19 CHEO Assessment Centre at CHEO's main campus offers Do-It-Yourself Test Kits for children and youth (2 months to up to the day before their 18th birthday), by appointment only. Book your appointment online to reserve your DIY Test Kit pickup. For those requiring extra support for accessibility reasons, please contact CHEO’s Patient Experience team at 613-737-7600, ext. 6720.
About the Do-It-Yourself COVID-19 Test KitThe Do-It-Yourself Test Kit includes instructions, a registration form and a gentle and easy to use self-swab PCR test. Complete the self-swab on-site, in the car or back at home. Return it to our team at CHEO's main campus on the same day you picked it up, for processing at the lab. Do-It-Yourself Test Kits are available for children and youth currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Visit the Ottawa Public Health website to see the testing criteria for children & youth. Watch this instructional video for children, youth and parents/caregivers on how to do the self-swab: Looking for more information about COVID-19 testing? |
||||||||
How to find my results |
||||||||
We know that the results from your test(s) will impact your household, whether it’s getting better from your illness or returning to child care, school and work. We want you to know your results as soon as possible, but there are sometimes delays processing results because of high demand. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Will I get a call?You will only receive a call if you tested positive (also reported as “detected”). There are four ways to get your results:
Do I need to self-isolate?For latest guidance on what to do after testing, including when to end your isolation, read through this handout from OPH: More informationFor more information, including school forms (a form to help parents communicate with schools regarding their child’s testing), resources for self-care and mental health and more, visit the Ottawa Public Health website. |
||||||||
Kids Come First COVID-19 Care Clinic |
||||||||
Now located at CHEO's main campus, the Kids Come First Care Clinic is available for in-person assessment and care of children and youth with acute illnesses which include a fever, cough or runny nose. |
Virtual care
Learn more about virtual care at CHEO |
Many clinics at CHEO are offering telephone and video appointments in some cases. To learn more, or prepare for your upcoming virtual clinic visit or emergency department visit, visit our Virtual Care page. |
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and preventing the spread of infection
Frequently asked questions |
||||||||
|
Pharmacy, medications and immunizations
Frequently asked questions |
||||
|
More resources
Parenting, mental health and wellness |
||||||
Explaining COVID-19 to kidsParenting, coping and mental health
|
||||||
Back to school |
||||||
|
||||||
Hot topics — development and rehabilitation, fever and more |
||||||
|
||||||
Preventing the spread of infection |
||||||
|
||||||
Multilingual resources including Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun |
||||||
Multilingual Resources for Diverse Communities During COVID-19 - Ottawa Public Health Inuktitut and InuinnaqtunWebsites and organizationsHandouts
|