Flu Season Prompts Changes in Visitor Policies at Area Hospitals

With the onset of flu season, a number of area hospitals have changed their visitor policies to provide the safest environment possible for patients, visitors, and staff during the flu season.

Here is a rundown of the new policies now in effect, and comments from officials at area hospitals:

Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Franklin Medical Center

• No visitors under 13 years old will be permitted in Baystate hospitals;
• No more than two visitors at a time are recommended per patient; and
• Visitors should be limited to those essential to the patient’s comfort and well-being.
• Additionally, to help reduce exposure to H1N1 in the waiting rooms of doctors’ offices and other outpatient settings:
• Patients should come to appointments alone or be accompanied by no more than one other person, if needed; and
• Patients are discouraged from bringing children with them to their appointments.

“We take the H1N1 health risks seriously and feel strongly about protecting our patients and staff. As a result, we are changing our visitors policy to reduce patient and employee exposure to flu in all Baystate Health hospitals and outpatient settings,” said Deborah Morsi, RN, PhD, chief nursing officer for Baystate Health.

“These restrictions are in place because having fewer visitors and guests in our hospitals and waiting rooms will reduce flu exposure for everyone,” she added.

Morsi noted that children are the focus of visitor-limitation policies around the country because they are more likely to be affected by H1N1 themselves, and to transmit the flu to others.

“We understand the impact these restrictions may have on families and their loved ones in the hospital; however, we feel strongly about providing our patients with the safest possible care environment,” said Morsi.

Since the April outbreak of the H1N1 virus, Baystate Health has posted signs in its health care facilities, including Baystate Franklin Medical Center and local Baystate medical practices, asking visitors who are sick to return home, and phone the patient instead.

Baystate Health and Baystate Franklin Medical Center offer the following additional tips to make people’s visits to the hospital as safe as possible for themselves and their loved ones:

• Always wash your hands upon entering and leaving the patient’s room;
• Assess your own health before visiting the hospital; do not visit if you are at higher risk to contract infections;
• If the patient you are visiting has a contagious disease, consider calling instead; and
• If you decide to visit a patient with a contagious illness, wear the protective items offered by the medical staff.

Noble Hospital

• Visitors with influenza symptoms such as a fever, cough or sore throat, will not be allowed to visit patients;
• For patients who are hospitalized with influenza, visitors will be restricted to only those family and friends who are necessary for the well-being of the patient, and only two visitors at any one time will be allowed.
• Children under 18 years of age are restricted from visiting any patients.
• If it is necessary for the health and well-being of the patient, exceptions to these visiting restrictions may be allowed. The charge nurse on each nursing unit has the authority to grant permission for exception.
• For those visiting patients, the following precautions are requested:
• Wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when entering and leaving a patient’s room; and
• Remember to cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your inner elbow. If you do use your hands, please wash them right away.
• These restrictions will be removed once the area cases of seasonal and H1N1 flu have subsided.

Mercy Medical Center

In the best interests of patients and staff, Mercy Medical Center has decided to restrict the visitation of those under the age of 13 years of age. Additionally, the Family Life Center for Maternity is placing a restriction of two visitors per patient at any given time.

In addition to the visitor restrictions, Mercy Medical Center also request patients:

• Come to medical appointments alone, or with only one person; and
• Do not bring children to medical appointments, unless absolutely necessary.

Mercy will provide an update when this visitation policy change is no longer necessary. Questions on the policy can be referred to Morgan Gilmore, RN, BSN, infection control practitioner; (413) 748-9362; or Kevin Sullivan, RN, BSN, CIC, infection control practitioner; (413) 748-9383.