Hospitals discouraging visitors to stem flow of flu
Fox Valley hospitals have instituted new visitation restrictions to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus.
"Whenever we see an outbreak of a communicable disease, we want to look at how we can protect everyone involved," said Lynn Skelton, infection control nurse at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.
1-4 p.m. Nov. 10
1-4 p.m. Nov. 19
9 a.m.-noon Nov. 21
4-7 p.m. Nov. 23
3-6 p.m. Dec. 2
4-7 p.m. Dec. 7
2-6 p.m. Dec. 10
Hospitals have put into place their own variations of visitation policies, including prohibiting anyone who is ill with flu-like symptoms from coming into the hospital, restricting visitors age 18 and younger, limiting the number of visitors per patient, and promoting proper hand and respiratory hygiene.
Rush-Copley Medical Center in Aurora this week instituted visitation rules that prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from visiting the hospital and anyone with flu-like symptoms. It also is restricting visitation to two adults per patient.
Previously, hospitals have had an open visitation policy.
"When we saw the volumes ramping up in our ER and saw what was going on in communities through our communications with the Kane County Health Department, we realized we needed to raise the level of restrictions for our visitation policy," said John Diederich, Rush-Copley chief operating officer.
The Aurora hospital has also established a "sneeze station" where people will find hand sanitizer gels, facial tissues and masks.
"We have educated time and time again our staff about the best way to contain the spread of illness is to wash hands," Diederich said.
Although hospitals do not test for the H1N1 virus, they are reporting having seen a marked increase of patients coming into the ER with flu-like symptoms.
Delnor Hospital is limiting visitors to only those people essential to the well-being of the patient and restricting the number to two visitors per patient. People who may have been exposed to influenza are strongly recommended not to visit the hospital.
"The new visitor restrictions have been well received -- people understand that we are keeping our patients safe," Skelton said.
Provena Mercy Medical Center has posted visitation restrictions that do not allow anyone to visit who is suffering from a fever, cough, cold or flu-like symptoms. No visitor is allowed under the age of 18, and no more than two visitors per patient are allowed on the hospital premises at any one time.
"By trying to limit the sheer numbers of people visiting in the hospital, we will hopefully reduce the potential threat of exposure to patients," said Sue Quirin, Provena Mercy Medical Center infection control practitioner.
At Edward Hospital in Naperville, people under age 18 are prohibited from visiting the hospital, unless they have a medical issue. All others, regardless of age, are asked to refrain from visiting. People should not visit if they have any upper respiratory symptoms.
"People with respiratory symptoms should be staying at home when they are sick and not going in public, certainly not to a hospital where there are sick and vulnerable patients," said Mary Anderson, Edward Hospital infection control manager.
"The bottom line is if you are sick, stay at home and take necessary precautions to limit the transmission."
Depending on the availability of supplies, the hospitals have reported staff is receiving either nasal sprays or vaccinations for the H1N1 flu. Some hospitals are working on a tiered system, with high-risk staff receiving treatment first.
