COVID-19, Flu, and RSV Resources

These resources, courtesy of the Ministry of Health, are meant to help ensure Ontarians have an understanding of the respiratory illnesses circulating in Ontario and the recommendation to stay up-to-date on vaccinations for COVID-19 and flu to protect themselves and others from severe illness.

Flu

Flu-Fact-Sheet

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV Fact Sheet

COVID-19

Boost Your Protection Against COVID-19

Know Your Emergency Department – Respiratory Illness

Know Your Health Care Options

Please be aware of the health care options that are available in our community. In the event of an emergency, always dial 9-1-1.

Know Your Health Care Options

Health811

Health811 is a free, secure and confidential service Ontarians can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to receive health advice from a registered nurse, locate local health services and find trusted health information. Ontarians can call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007), chat online or access resources online at ontario.ca/health811.

Health811 can also help Ontarians to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner accepting new patients, offer support to quit smoking and/or a referral for vaping cessation services, nutrition counselling by a registered dietitian, breastfeeding assistance, colorectal cancer screening and refugee health supports all continue to operate.

FIT kits are available through Health811 for eligible Ontarians. A FIT kit can only be requested via phone.

The Health811 service, including the phone line, online chat feature and website, is available in English and French. Translation support is also available in over 200 languages, including Indigenous languages such as Cree, Ojibwe and Inuktitut, through Health811’s phone service.

Health811 is for non-urgent health care information, advice and health service referrals. This service is not a substitute for 911, which should still be used for a medical emergency. Health811 is also not a substitute for regular touchpoints with a health care provider.

On the Health811 website, Ontarians can:

• Use the online chat feature to talk with a registered nurse, request assistance locating health services and ask general health questions.
• Check their symptoms with the online symptom assessment tool.
• Use the online health services directory to search for health services or health providers by keyword, location and specific search filters.
• Review content about common health concerns and learn more about Health811’s features.

Resources

• Know Your Health Care Options
• COVID-19, Flu, and RSV
• Health811
• Video – Know Your Emergency Department: Respiratory Illness

Emergency Codes Preparedness at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), the Emergency Preparedness Committee works to ensure our organization has the capacity to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The committee is comprised of representatives from various programs and services and is responsible for providing oversight and leadership related to hospital emergency preparedness, including all emergency colour codes.

Emergency Colour Codes

What are emergency codes?

An emergency code is a notification of an event that requires immediate action. TBRHSC utilizes standardized colour codes as supported by the Ontario Hospital Association. Staff, physicians, and volunteers understand what each code refers to and are aware of how to respond in order to provide a safe environment.

Know the Codes

If you see something, say something! Always inform the closest hospital worker as soon as possible, as they are trained to know the appropriate response actions.

Emergency Codes at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Personal Preparedness

Emergency preparedness starts with everyone. TBRHSC encourages our patients, families, and community to get involved in emergency preparedness by taking actions to become more prepared. Please consider the following steps:

Know the Risks

Across Canada, we face a number of hazards, which can vary from region to region. Knowing the risks can inform how we plan and prepare. Find out about risks in our region by using some of the following resources:

• Hazards monitored by Emergency Management Ontario
• Up to date information earthquake information via Natural Resources Canada
• Historical list of Canadian disasters, including where and when they occurred via Public Safety Canada Disaster Database 

Make an Emergency Plan & Preparedness Kit

No two households are the same. When building your emergency plan, be mindful of the special needs and considerations of individuals in your own household. By evaluating your unique needs, you can be better prepared for any situation. The following resources will help you and your family prepare for all types of emergencies, including emergency plan templates and emergency kit content recommendations.

• City of Thunder Bay’s Emergency Planning page
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s Emergencies & Being Prepared page
• Government of Ontario’s Emergency Preparedness webpage
• Government of Canada’s Get Prepared page

Stay Informed

Tune into local news and emergency notification applications to stay up-to-date on important information.

• Current highway information, including road conditions and road closures via Ontario 511’s cellphone app and website
• Current weather alerts via Environment Canada’s WeatherCAN cellphone app and website
• Current forest fire activity and fire restrictions via the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website
• Current wildfire smoke conditions via FireSmoke Canada
• Current air quality conditions via the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks, Thunder Bay monitoring station

Contact Us

For more information on Emergency Preparedness at TBRHSC or to make a suggestion for this page please email tbrhsc.emergencypreparedness@tbh.net.

The following hotels may offer preferred room rates for patients and families who are receiving care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. For current rates and discounts, contact the hotels listed below. Please note that some of these locations may require proof of a medical appointment at check-in.

Days Inn and Suites Thunder Bay
645 Sibley Drive
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6Z8
Tel: (807) 622-3297
Website: www.daysinnthunderbay.com

Days Inn Thunder Bay North
1250 Golf Links Road
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 0A1
Tel: (807) 344-3297
Email: frontdesk@daysinnthunderbay.com
Website: www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn

Best Western, Thunder Bay Crossroads
655 W. Arthur Street
Tel: (807) 577-4241
Email: crossroadsbw@shaw.ca
Website: www.bestwestern.com

Hampton Inn and Suites
60 Arthur Street W.
Thunder Bay, ON, P7E 5R9
Tel: (807) 577-5000
Email: dominic.figliomeni@hilton.com
Website: www.hilton.com

Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel
17 North Cumberland Street
Thunder Bay, ON, P7A 4K8
Tel: (807) 345-8565
Email: reservation@princearthurwaterfront.com
Website: www.princearthurwaterfront.com

ATMs are located in the following areas;

• next to Admitting in the Main Lobby
• at the bottom of the Grand Staircase on Level 1 next to the Cafeteria
• in the Emergency Department waiting area

Here you will find meal, snack and beverage items prepared fresh daily, including hot entrees (at meal times), baked goods, and an assortment of fruits, salads, soups, and snacks. Cash, Debit, Visa, American Express and MasterCard are accepted.

The Cafeteria is open to the public during the following times:

Monday to Friday

Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Lunch from 11:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
After Hours from 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday

Open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Convenience Market – Sandwiches, Wraps, Reheatable Meals, Salads, Snacks, Fruit, Vegetables, Chips, Pop, Coffee and Adventure Boxes

There are Comment Cards located by the cashiers. We welcome your feedback.

Address

Please note: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre does not accept personal health information or booking appointments through our website. 

Please consult your health care practitioner for advice, appointments and/or referrals or use the contact numbers below.

Frequently Called Numbers

This page redirects to http://www.tbrhsc.net/tbrhsc/accessibility/accessibility-plan/

Thanks to a partnership with Tbaytel, free WiFi is now accessible to patients, families and visitors throughout the hospital.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has been added to the list of hotspot locations that make up Tbaytel’s public WiFi network.

Tbaytel’s free public WiFi network is helping to create a smarter, more connected city by providing reliable high speed internet access at meaningful locations across Thunder Bay where the people who live here can really benefit the most.

Free WiFi makes it much easier to share important health updates and information with loved ones. As a visitor, it helps to pass the time when at the bedside of a sleeping family member. As patients, it helps to stay connected to work while here for care.

Support

Call 807-623-4400 or 1-800-264-9501 for WiFi support.

In keeping with Patient and Family Centred Care, parking has been allocated to ensure that patients, families and Care Partners have convenient and timely access to the Hospital.

Parking Lot Access

Patients, families and Care Partners have access to Lots Eagle (A1), Fish (A3), Moose (B2), Squirrel (C1), Coyote (C2), Deer (D), and Turtle (I) (please see map below). Bear lot has been temporarily closed due to construction.

For the safety of our patients and families, please note the designated Hospital access points:

• Patients accessing the Emergency Department (ED), please enter via the ED doors and park in the Coyote lot;
• Patients accessing Labour and Delivery (L&D), please enter via the L&D doors and park in the Deer lot;
• All other patients and Care Partners may access the Hospital using the Main (West) Entrance and park in the Eagle, Moose, or Turtle lots.

Parking Rates and Passes

Up to one hour: $2
Up to two hours: $4
Up to four hours: $5
Over four hours until midnight, same day (daily maximum): $7

After midnight, the parking rate will restart.

Users that park in the Moose or Turtle Lot for less than 30 minutes will not be charged upon exit.

Daily, Weekly or Monthly Passes

Patients, families and visitors frequently attending the Hospital will be able to purchase daily, weekly or monthly access passes based on approved rates.

• Daily, weekly or 12 exit passes must be purchased at the pay station.
• Monthly passes can be purchased at the Cashier located in the Patient Billing Office during regular business hours.

Payment Options

Users may pay upon exit at all gated visitor lots (Coyote, Deer, Eagle, Moose, Turtle) using credit, debit, and Apple Pay. Alternatively, pay stations allow users the ability to pay with cash, debit, credit, or Apple Pay.

Pay stations are located in the:

• Emergency Department waiting room
• Main Lobby beside Patient Billing (two stations)
• Lobby of the Medical Centre at 980 Oliver Road
• Lobby of the Health Services Centre at 1040 Oliver Road

Patient Drop Off and Pick Up

Drop Off

1. Pull into the “Assisted Pick Up/Drop Off Lane” in the Fish (A3) lot.
2. Escort patient to benches at the main entrance or to the appropriate waiting room. Please note that there is a 10 minute maximum to leave a vehicle at the front entrance.
3. Move vehicle to one of the visitor parking lots if a longer stay is required.

Pick Up

1. If you are required to meet a patient on a unit or in a clinical department, park vehicle in one of the visitor parking lots.
2. Bring patient to benches at the front entrance or nursing staff/volunteers will bring the patient down to meet you.
3. Retrieve vehicle and pull into the “Assisted Pick Up/Drop Off Lane”.
4. Escort patient to vehicle.

What is Parking Revenue used for?

The costs associated with parking lots are not covered by government funding. The Hospital uses parking fees collected to cover the cost of providing, maintaining and administering the parking facilities (such as lighting, asphalt and equipment maintenance, line painting and snow removal) and to support operational costs related to patient care.

Reduction of Parking Fees Due to Financial Hardship

In cases where patients are required to attend the Hospital on a regular recurring basis and the payment of fees will result in financial hardship, the patient may apply for a discounted parking rate. Please contact Patient Billing to complete a Request for Parking Fee Reduction form.

Accessible Parking

The Hospital is committed to ensuring appropriate and adequate access is provided to persons with disabilities. Lots A1, A3, B1, C1, C2, D and I have designated accessible spaces.

Parking in accessible spaces will be strictly enforced. All vehicles parking in these spaces must display a valid Ontario Ministry of Transportation specific permit that is visible at all times while the vehicle is parked on site.

Security

All lots are monitored by security cameras 24 hours per day and are patrolled by Security on a periodic basis. The Hospital takes all precautions to provide a safe environment, including full lighting to the parking lots, access walkways and well marked Emergency Help buttons throughout the site. Should you encounter difficulties entering or exiting a parking lot, you have access to an intercom at all terminals, which will connect you to Security for assistance.

Regulation and Enforcement

Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas will be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense at the discretion of the Manager, Security & Parking. Parking of vehicles is only allowed in lots and designated spaces only. Vehicles will not be allowed to park along the roadways on the property.

All disputed parking tickets will be reviewed by the Manager, Security and Parking. The Manager will consult with other levels of management as required.

In compliance with the Excellent Care for All Act, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre would like to ensure ease of access for the public to share their concerns, compliments and feedback. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre values the input of our patients and families as well as our external partners.

If you wish to submit a concern or compliment related to your experience at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, please use the process below. Raising a concern directly with a member of our staff or management will allow for the most direct and quick follow-up.

1. Tell a staff member who is with you and ask for a response
2. Ask to speak with a Department Manager
3. Submit your comments online via the Compliments and Concerns Form at https://feedback.tbrhsc.net/
4. Contact our Quality & Risk Management Department

Address
Quality and Risk Management Department
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay Ontario
P7C 6V4

Phone Number
807-684-6019

Any signed written concerns will receive a confirmation within 5 days of receipt.

Tele-Visitations are 1 hour video visits with family and friends by videoconference.

We can help keep you connected to family and friends while you are in hospital, or even as an outpatient. Your family may be in another heath facility or in almost any location with internet access. This is a patient driven service, please ask your healthcare provider about the service or contact the Telemedicine Department at extension 6711 or email us at telemedicine@tbh.net.

Entertainment and TV rental services are available right at the bedside, provided by HealthHub Patient Engagement Solutions. Patients or their loved ones can complete the rental process anytime by visiting www.ConnectMyBed.ca.

www.ConnectMyBed.ca is available 24/7 to also help answer questions related to local channel guides and request customer service assistance.

Services and Rates

Telephones

Telephones are available to patients at a rate of $3.50 per day, payable at discharge at the Patient Billing and Cashier Services.

Public telephones are located throughout the Hospital.

Long Distance

The Hospital uses a third party long distance company for our long distance services. Long distance calls may be made using a Calling Card, Credit Card, Collect or Third Party Charge.

To make a long distance call:

1. To Canada and the USA: Dial 9 + 0 + Area Code + Number
2. For International Calls: Dial 9 + 01 + Country Code + City Code + Number

Accessibility

TTY telephones for the hearing impaired are available at the public phones located in the Main Lobby, the Emergency Department and the Cafeteria. Portable TTY phones and telephone amplifiers for the Hearing Impaired are available upon request. Call Switchboard by dialing “0” for the loan. A replacement fee will be charged if the item is not returned to Switchboard once the patient is discharged.

Please Note

Cell phones may be used in approved areas that have been indicated via signage.

The Department of Spiritual and Religious Care welcomes spiritual leaders of all faiths to visit patients. The Spiritual Care team provides service that is sensitive to, and respectful of, the diverse expression of spirituality and religion in our culture. We serve individuals from all faiths and those with no faith tradition.

Our Multi-Faith Spiritual Centre, located on the 2nd floor, is open 24 hours per day for patient and family use. The Spiritual Centre houses resources for Multi-Faith worship and is also equipped to accommodate rituals such as Smudging and Pipe Ceremonies.

A Sacred Bundle is available upon request. Individuals can request assistance for these services from the staff Chaplains or are welcome to use the Spiritual Centre at their convenience. Signs are available for anyone needing short-term privacy.

You may request a visit by notifying your nurse or calling 684-6235.

For emergencies, please ask your nurse to page a member of the Spiritual Care team.

Help prevent the spread of infection.

When visiting the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, help prevent the spread of infection by utilizing the hand sanitation stations throughout the facility.

Fire Exits are clearly marked throughout the facility. During a fire alarm, elevators will automatically return to the ground floor and open. All fire doors will automatically close until the “All Clear” announcement is made.

During a fire alarm, please remain in your area until otherwise directed by staff or Fire Department personnel.

Water fountains can be found in the Atrium on Level 2 in front of the restrooms, and in the Emergency Department.

Our Patient Family Centred Care Philosophy differentiates between Visitors and Care Partners. We recognize that Visitors and Care Partners are a great resource and comfort to our patient’s which improve quality of life and their experience in care.

Who is a visitor?

A visitor is a guest or family of the patient who have not been identified by the patient as the Care Partner.

What are the Visiting Hours?

Generally, visiting hours are from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm. Due to legislation or patient condition, some patient care areas access to visitation may vary. Quiet and rest time is from 8:30 pm until 10:00 am.

Who is a Care Partner?

Care Partner(s) is identified by the patient, may be a family member, a friend or significant other who provides physical, psychological and/or emotional support.

What are the visiting hours for care partners?

Care Partners are not restricted to the ‘visiting hours’ and have greater access to spend time with patients to support and participate in their care as defined by the patient.

Public washrooms are well-marked and are located throughout the Centre including near the Main Lobby and in the Emergency Department.