Surgical appointments

Please read the information below about the COVID-19 precautions in place for surgical patients. You may also download this surgical COVID-19 information package.

If you are coming to Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) for a surgery, please review our current screening protocol and temporary family presence restrictions before your scheduled procedure.  

Self-isolation before surgery

Guidance from the Ministry of Health includes a recommendation that patients self-isolate for at least 14 days prior to their scheduled surgeries. Below are tips taken from a Public Health Ontario fact sheet on how to self-isolate.

 Stay home

  • Do not use public transportation, taxis or rideshares. 
  • Do not go to work, school or other public places.

Avoid contact with others 

  • No visitors unless essential (e.g., care providers).
  • As much as possible, stay in a separate room from other people in your home and use a separate bathroom if you have one.
  • Make sure that shared rooms have good airflow (e.g., open windows).
  • If these steps are not possible, keep a distance of at least two metres from others at all times.

Keep your distance

  • If you are in a room with other people, keep a distance of at least two metres. If you are unable to keep this distance, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
  • If you cannot wear a mask, people should wear a mask when they are in the same room as you.

Wash your hands

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Dry your hands with a paper towel or with cloth towel that no one else will share.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Wear a mask over your nose and mouth

  • Wear a mask if you must leave your house to see a health care provider.
  •  Wear a mask when you are within two metres of other people, or stay in a separate room.
  • If you do not have a mask, maintain two meters distance from people and cover your cough and sneezes.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand.
  • Throw used tissues in a lined wastebasket and wash your hands. Lining the wastebasket with a plastic bag makes waste disposal safer.
  • Clean your hands after emptying the wastebasket.

Screening and testing before surgeries and procedures

All patients will be screened for COVID-19 prior to their surgeries/procedures at KHSC. You will be called 2-4 days prior to your procedure/surgery to determine your risk factors for COVID-19 and to arrange for a COVID-19 test if needed.

Important information about testing:

  • If required, COVID-19 testing will be arranged and booked for you at the Beechgrove Assessment Centre in Kingston so we can be sure the test results are completed and available at the time of your surgery
  • If you refuse to have a COVID-19 test that is indicated, your surgery will likely be cancelled or postponed
  • If you are required to be tested, you will need to self-isolate until the day of your surgery. If you interact with anyone, you must wear a mask.