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Patient’s Code of Conduct

1.0 PURPOSE

To establish standards and expectations for the conduct of patients and visitors to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone at Weeneebayko Area Health Authority.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

WAHA – Weeneebayko Area Health Authority

3.0 APPLICATION

All patients and visitors, at all locations.

4.0 STANDARDS

At WAHA, personal interactions are expected to reflect mutual respect. Behaviours such as verbal and physical aggression are not acceptable.

The following behaviours are encouraged to create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone:

  1. Kindness and respect
  2. Calm, polite communication
  3. Following staff instructions related to safety, care, and movement in WAHA facilities
  4. Supporting a healing environment by keeping voice low, using respectful language, and being mindful of others privacy
  5. Care for shared spaces by keeping things clean, using garbage bins, respecting property, and practicing good hand hygiene
  6. Support cultural safety by acknowledging diverse backgrounds, traditions, and languages within WAHA communities.
  7. Engage in care respectfully, including asking questions, expressing concerns, and participating in decisions with gentleness and respect.
  8. Use technology responsibly, including asking permission before taking photos and keeping devices on silent.

The following are not permitted at WAHA:

  1. Any form of violence or threats
  2. Abusive language or behaviours (e.g. raising voice/yelling unnecessarily, swearing, racial or sexual remarks to patients, staff, students, visitors, etc.)
  3. Possession and/or use of weapons
  4. Use of alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs on WAHA property
  5. Damaging property
  6. Smoking or vaping, or use of electronic cigarettes on WAHA property
  7. Taking pictures of people without their permission (See Policy – Media Relations, and Policy – Photography and Recordings)

WAHA is a scent-reduced workplace. Patients and visitors are encouraged to avoid the use of scented personal products as much as possible to support individuals with fragrance sensitivities. See WAHA Policy – Scent-Reduced Workplace

Patients and visitors are expected to abide by all infection prevention and control measures that apply to the areas they receive care/are visiting.

Patients or visitors who do not follow these guidelines may be asked to leave the premises and may be escorted by Security and/or local authorities. Patients whose behaviour creates a safety risk will be managed using the least restrictive approach appropriate to their clinical condition and applicable organizational policies and/or be asked to leave the premises.

  1. Policy – Security, Management of Intoxicated Individuals
  2. Policy – Patient Visitation
  3. Policy – Pet Visitation
  4. Policy – Occupational Health and Safety
  5. Policy – Point of Care Risk Assessment and PPE
  6. Policy – Routine Practices and Additional Precautions
  7. Policy – Violence Prevention Program
  8. Policy – Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence
  9. Policy – Workplace Harassment Program
  10. Policy – Smoke-Free Workplace
  11. Policy – Media Relations
  12. Policy – Photography and Recordings

6.0 REFERENCES

Guelph General Hospital (2022). Code of Conduct for Patients and Visitors. Retrieved May 26, 2026 from https://www.gghorg.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/11-120-Safe-Respectful-Visiting-Poster-2022-9.pdf

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