One-bag policies are being introduced at the University of Alberta Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital, too. The change is effective immediately, Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced Tuesday. The rule mimics a change at the Royal Alexandra Hospital last week, part of a larger effort by the provincial government to increase safety in emergency departments after an assault there in early April. All patients and visitors of the emergency departments at the Royal Alex and University of Alberta hospitals are only allowed to bring in one bag and one support person. Visitor restrictions will not apply to the Stollery emergency department. Patients and families will still be able to have more than one parent, guardian and/or sibling. Extra bags will be stored by the security team if required. The policy does not apply to medical devices and child-care items. AHS says the policy is meant to increase workplace safety and reduce the number of tripping hazards, while ensuring there is seating space for patients and their support people. As for limiting the number of support people, this “will help reduce noise and provide more room for those who need to be there,” AHS said. Staff can grant exceptions for patients “requiring additional support.” Questions can be directed to the Patient Relations department either online or by phone.
