Page 123 - COVID-19 Inpatient Training Resources

The Patient Relations team is to be contacted by the patient or family member to arrange for the
item to be dropped off following the same process as above. A Patient Relations representative
will contact the unit that the patient is being cared for to confirm that a food item may be brought
in for the patient. If this is confirmed the Patient Relations representative will schedule a time to
meet the family member at the hospital front entrance. Food being brought into the hospital
must meet the following requirements:

 Food cannot be accepted from a home under isolation
 The amount of food provided should be limited to a singular meal and not require
refrigeration or heating in a microwave
 Food must be brought in a sealable and wipeable container
 The food container will be discarded after use and not returned to the patient or
family
To ensure food being dropped off from home is safe for the patient and staff the following
actions will be taken:

 Food item will be screened to ensure it meets the criteria above
 If the food item does not meet the criteria it will not be accepted
 If the food item passes the screening, it will be disinfected and placed into a clean
patient belongings bag before being delivered to the patient care unit
 All patient accessible kitchens on units should be closed

See Appendix A for disinfecting procedure

A patient who has been delivered outside food will be requested to only eat inside their room
after hand hygiene is performed.

Note: This policy only applies to patients. A separate policy on staff food and accepting food
donations for staff is covered in a separate policy.

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