Designated Support Person (DSP) Program

• A DSP is an active partner in care and an essential member of the health care team who can provide personalized physical and emotional support, as deemed important by the eligible patient. The DSP contributes to a positive patient experience and outcome.
• A DSP is an individual the patient wants involved in their care and can include family members, close friends or other caregivers and are identified/designated by the patient or substitute decision maker (SDM).
• A DSP is different from a social visitor. A social visitor is not essential to the patient’s care and does not provide physical or emotional support to the patient. A social visitor does not contribute to care, providing health information or decision making. A social visitor must adhere to Horizon’s current social visitor and physical distancing guidelines
• Eligible patients can identify / designate a maximum of two DSPs, but only one DSP is permitted by their bedside at one time.
• A DSP must be 18 years of age or older. Limited exceptions apply.
• A DSP is required to complete infection and prevention control education to keep patient, health care staff and themselves safe while in the facility.
• A DSP is not required to adhere to the 6-foot physical distancing guidelines when supporting g their loved one.
• A DSP is not limited to social visiting hours applicable for general/social visits. The hours, frequency and support the DSP will provide to the patient will be determined in collaboration with the patient, the DSP and members of the health care team.
• A DSP is permitted entry to Horizon facilities during all phases of the pandemic.

DSPs and social visitors are no longer required to show proof of vaccination. Horizon strongly urges all visitors and DSPs to be up to date on their vaccinations. You are up to date if you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, in accordance with New Brunswick Public Health’s vaccination schedule for COVID-19. Vaccines have been proven to reduce the incidents of severe illness, hospitalization or death. The vaccination requirement for DSPs and Social Visitors as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will continue to be monitored and reinstated as needed.

Everyone! –Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Horizon has taken measures in our facilities to reduce patient traffic and create a safe and healthy environment for our patients, clients, staff, physicians and communities. By limiting the number of people in our facilities through visitor restrictions, we are reducing the chance of COVID-19 infecting our patients, clients, staff and physicians. To balance the benefit between patient care and the risk of COVID-19, the overall number of DSPs permitted and number of DSPs who can be present at one time varies depending the patient’s condition and COVID-19 activity levels within the hospital and community.  Please see Horizon’s current visitor guidelines for the current number of allowable DSPs and social visitors.

1. The patient who requires a DSP or their substitute decision maker (SDM) will identify a maximum of two potential DSPs. Please note: Potential DSPs, including interested family members, must first speak with the nurse manager or delegate of the patient’s unit, at which point they will be provided with the DSP Overview package including information of how to complete the required education program.
2. DSPs will be required to complete online education about Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines to help keep them, their loved one and health care workers safe. (If there are problems completing the online training, DSPs can receive training within the hospital by appointment).
3. Once the education is complete, DSPs must contact the unit’s nurse manager or designate to discuss the Care / Support Plan. DSPs will be required to show their confirmation email indicating they have completed their online education to the nurse manager or designate to formalize the Care / Support Plan for the patient’s chart.
4. DSPs will be screened when entering the hospital and must pass the screening criteria before they can enter and provide contact information for contract tracing purposes.
5. DSPs must follow IPC and unit-specific rules such as wearing a Horizon-provided medical grade face mask, maintaining a 6-foot distance from other patients, staff and DSPs/social visitors, and practicing consistent hand hygiene.
6. DSPs must limit their movement in the facility to the patient’s room and not eat or drink in the patient’s room.