CURRENT NEWS

10/1/2009

PWH Revises Visitation Policy Due to Flu Concerns

Prince William Hospital announced that its visitation guidelines will change effective October 1 to restrict visitors under age 18. Unless they are patients seeking medical care, visitors under 18 will not be permitted in patient care areas.

The change was made in response to concerns about the potential spread and impact of H1N1 flu. These restrictions are based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and supported by the Virginia Department of Health.

In addition, due to the high risk to the mothers and newborns in the Birthing Center, visitors will be limited to the spouse or support person. Also, tours of the Birthing Center have been suspended. In the pediatric unit, visitors will be limited to parents and guardians.

Cynda Tipple, Chief Operating Officer, said the new policy is necessary to safeguard patients, employees and adult visitors. Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the H1N1 flu and have a higher incidence of infection than adults, she explained. In addition, children are often contagious before they exhibit symptoms.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause families," Tipple said, "but it is important to make this change to limit the spread and impact of flu. In particular, newborns, pregnant women and patients with suppressed immune systems, are especially vulnerable, and we must take every precaution to protect them."

In addition to limiting visitation by those under 18, the hospital is urging everyone over 18 not to visit if they have flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, coughing, body ache or fever greater than 100 degrees. These persons should not go out in public until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours, according to a recommendation by the CDC.

Kathy Moss, Prince William Hospital's infection control specialist, advised everyone to get their seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible and the H1N1 vaccination when it becomes available. The H1N1 vaccine is currently expected to be available sometime in October.

Moss also said individuals can do a lot to help stop the spread of flu. "The most important steps are the common sense precautions," she said. "Cover your cough. Wash your hands often. If you have flu-like symptoms, avoid contact with other people and stay home."

The new policy does not apply to patients in the Emergency Department, Tipple said. Children under 18 may be with an adult in the Emergency Department.

There may be exceptions to the policy in very limited circumstances such as where a patient is at the end of life. In cases where an exception is made, it will be at the discretion of the physician and hospital leadership.

Tipple said the new visitation policy will remain in effect until the incidence of flu has significantly decreased, noting that it may be several months before the hospital may safely return to normal procedures.

She added that the hospital will continually review the visitation policy and that, if needed for the safety of the patients, additional restrictions could be put into place.

For more information on the flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/