“IT’S EVERYBODY’S JOB, NOT EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS.”
Patients have a fundamental right to privacy that is governed by law. Patient confidentiality is a conscientious effort by all health care workers and those affiliated by Grand River Hospital to keep private the information revealed by the patient in the process of health care. Information such as personal identity, physical or mental health condition, type of health care provided and payment of that care must be confidential.
Everyone is responsible for protecting the privacy of the patient. As a volunteer(new employee), you will be asked to complete Privacy Awareness training which outlines your responsibilities and to sign a privacy pledge form. Patient information can be shared by a health care worker or volunteer for the purpose of providing care to the patient - this is called the “Circle of Care”. All volunteers and staff in the hospital and foundation are bound by the code of ethics and confidentiality agreement.
Personal Health Information (PHI) can include:
To receive complimentary parking, you will need to visit the Precise Parking office attendant (located at the entrance to the parking garage on the KW campus or the parking lot at Freeport). Please show them your Volunteer photo ID and they will activate your proximity card which should be attached to your photo ID.
Volunteers may park free of charge in the following areas:
FREEPORT Hospital: gated visitors’ parking lot
GRRCC/KW MAIN: parking garage levels 2 through 8. Level 2 has 5 spots reserved for Canadian Cancer Society drivers. If the KW garage is full, there is alternate parking in Lot B (off Mt. Hope St.). You must contact Parking Services at ext. 2883 or 2505 and provide them with your vehicle information.
Even though we may try our best, occasionally a volunteer or the Volunteer Engagement Managers finds that the hospital is not the best volunteer match for some people.
If you do need to discontinue your volunteer placement or position please provide the Volunteer Engagement Managers a minimum of two weeks notice. Please return your ID and parking pass within two weeks of your resignation to one of the Volunteer Engagement Managers. These items are hospital property.
Emergency Codes and Procedures are to be learned by ALL volunteers in the hospital.
If you detect a fire, STAY CLAM, and do not shout “FIRE” at any time. Contact a staff member immediately. Always take your instructions from the staff on the scene. If asked to assist, remove patients from fire, locate to a safe area, and close the door if applicable.
During a fire alarm, bells will ring for 5 minutes throughout the building at the start of the alarm. In addition, an announcement will be heard “CODE RED, followed by the AREA and FLOOR twice. Corridor doors will automatically close and staff providing direct patient care will return to their department. Volunteers should go to the nearest Emergency Assembly Area and remain there until “Code Red, All Clear” is announced over the PA system.
| CODE | EXPLANATION | PROCEDURE |
|---|---|---|
| CODE RED | Fire | Volunteers follow direction from staff. Assist in clearing out the main lobby entrance if on Grand Welcome. Assist with prevention of anyone else entering the premisis. |
| CODE WHITE | Real or potential violent situation...a specially trained team, security respond | Volunteers continue with assigned duties |
| CODE GREEN | Evacuation of AREA specified or total Hospital Evacuation. | Volunteers follow direction from staff |
| CODE YELLOW | Missing Patient. | Volunteers continue with assigned duties unless otherwise instructed Advise security if you see someone that fits that description |
| CODE ORANGE | External Disaster | Volunteers follow direction from staff |
| CODE BROWN | Hazardous Spill | Evacuation of volunteers in specific area |
| CODE BLUE | Medical Emergency...a specially trained team responds | Volunteers continue with assigned duties, unless otherwise instructed |
| CODE PINK | Infant Cardiac Arrest | Volunteers continue with assigned duties |
| CODE BLACK | Bomb Threat | Volunteers follow direction from staff |
| CODE PURPLE | Hostage Taking | Volunteers follow direction from staff |
| CODE GREY | External Air Exclusion | Volunteers follow directions from staff |
| CODE SILVER | Active Shooter | RUN, HIDE, FIGHT |
| ALL CLEAR | An ‘ALL CLEAR’ announcement is made at the end of all Colour Coded Announcements |
Some additional training may be provided by your specific area, especially areas that may be considered high risk.
Volunteers are contributing members of the patient care team and have contact with the hospital environment. It is essential that volunteers understand how germs spread within the hospital and how to prevent the spread of infection to themselves and others.
Express no opinion regarding medical procedures or hospital staff. Do not ask the medical or nursing staff for professional advice.
Please leave all valuables at home if possible. We do have a place for your coats and small lockers for purses etc. that can be used during your shift.
We ask that you have your device on silent for the duration of your shift.
Grand River Hospital is a smoke free environment. Smoking is not permitted on hospital property.
Volunteers are prohibited from eating, drinking or storing food or drink (including water bottles) in patient care areas. It is suggested that volunteers visit the food court area to consume water or food if a short break is needed.
See Video in Volunteer Orientation.
Are volunteers considered to be employees under the law?
While there is no single piece of legislation that speaks to this at the federal level and in all provinces and territories, the standard of care in the non-profit sector would suggest that volunteers be treated as employees in most circumstances. Organizations are responsible for all that is done in their name, including services provided by volunteers, and organizations are responsible for the health and safety of everyone they engage, including volunteers.
Public Safety Canada (2012), The Screening Handbook, developed by Volunteer Canada