COVID-19

NOTICE TO ALL PATIENTS

With rapidly evolving changes, we will attempt to keep you up-to-date about appointments and surgeries.

OFFICE APPOINTMENTS

All obstetrical patients will continue to be seen. If safe to do so, we will reduce the frequency of appointments and extend the length of time between them. For more information about Sunnybrook COVID-19 obstetrical care, click here.

New gynecology consultations and follow ups are currently being done through telemedicine using OTN. The office will call you to schedule these appointments. Please go to the OTN page to set up for the appointment. In-office visits will be arranged after your initial telemedicine appointment if it is deemed necessary. Please follow Sunnybrook Health Science Centre protocols when you arrive for your in-office appointment.

Please DO NOT come to your appointment if you have any fever, cough, cold or flu-like symptoms. Call the office to let us know that you will miss your appointment.

If you or a close contact have travelled outside of Ontario, within the last 2 weeks, please DO NOT come to your appointment. Call the office to determine when you should have your next appointment.

If you are worried that you have COVID-19, please go to the Ontario Ministry of Health Website for up-to-date information on testing and self-isolation. See below for self-assessment questionnaire and assessment centres in Toronto.

UPDATED MAR. 23, 2020: Please note at all patients will be screened at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre entrance before being allowed into the hospital.There will be NO visitors with outpatient clinic appointments. These exceptions may change in the upcoming weeks. For obstetrical patients, please check with the Triage desk for information regarding having a support person for labour. For up to date information about Sunnybrook and COVID-19 activities and policies, click here.

SURGERIES

If you had a gynecologic surgery scheduled between March 18 to June 30, 2020, and it was cancelled, please call the office to reschedule your surgery. Surgeries have resumed but at a limited capacity to ensure adequate resources to manage and prevent COVID-19 spread. We realize that most patients have been waiting a long time for their surgeries but some of the resources have been diverted to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have been given a surgical date, please try to maintain social isolation for 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 4 weeks after your surgery to reduce your chances of getting COVID-19. You might also need to get a COVID-19 swab test a few days before your surgery. The office will let you know if you need one.

Caesarean sections will continue to be performed at their booked times. The office or Sunnybrook Birthing Unit will contact patients if their booked times change.

KEEP INFORMED ABOUT COVID-19

There are many online resources with accurate information about COVID-19.

Pregnancy & COVID-19

While there is limited research about COVID-19 in pregnancy, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) has released their recommendations on their website. They have also made recommendations for pregnant healthcare workers here.The National Perinatal Association also has up-to-date publications and guidelines from the United States. They can be found here. Health Canada also has recommendations for breastfeeding and caring for newborns here. Please keep in mind that the information about the virus and the impact on pregnancy is constantly evolving and advice may change.

If you are an antenatal patient of Dr. Po's and you suspect that you have COVID-19, please do the Public Health Ontario Self-Assessment. If assessment is required, please go to one of the COVID-19 Assessment Centres set up around Toronto to get tested. If you test positive, please follow the instructions given to you by Public Health. If you have mild symptoms, stay home and call your family doctor and Dr. Po's office. If you have worsening symptoms or you are having difficulty breathing, call Sunnybrook Birthing Unit at (416) 480-6995 and they will give you further instructions about coming to the hospital.