Hospitals restrict visitors during flu season
|
goshen — Two local hospitals have instituted restrictions on visitors to reduce the spread of seasonal and the H1N1 flu.
Bon Secours Charity Health System and Orange Regional Medical Center are limiting visitors to healthy adults 18 years and older and no more than two adult visitors at a time per patient.
No visitor with respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose, will be permitted to visit.
In addition, visitors must now sanitize or wash their hands before entering and after leaving a patient’s room. Hand sanitizers are available at entrances and other locations.
Adults are asked not to bring children while the change is in effect. Children, in particular, are more likely to get H1N1 flu and they can be infectious for longer periods of time, putting them at greater risk of carrying the virus into health care settings.
The policy is in effect at Horton Hospital, Middletown; Arden Hill Hospital, Goshen; Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern; St. Anthony Community Hospital, Warwick; Bon Secours Community Hospital Port Jervis; and their related long-term care facilities and assisted living programs.
Limited exceptions for special circumstances will be made, for example, involving patients at the end of life or expectant and new fathers under 18.
|
The policy will remain in effect throughout the flu season, at least through March 2010.
The new restrictions were developed in accordance with guidelines provided by the CDC, according to officials.
|
Post a comment about this story. Be sure to include your name and email to submit a comment. Please note that email addresses are for internal use only and will not be displayed or shared. You can find a copy of our privacy policy in the terms of service link below.
I agree that I have read the Terms of Service and agree to abide by them.
Terms of Service
|
|
