Kids can't visit hospitals

Starting Wednesday, children will not be allowed to visit patients at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

They've already been banned from visiting patients at Edward Hospital in Naperville and Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital.

The restrictions are in place to help protect patients from the H1N1 flu virus.

Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet did not create a special restriction, because children under age 6 and people who are sick have always been discouraged from visiting, said spokeswoman Tracy Simons.

Adventist and Provena's temporary policies prohibit anyone under age 12 from visiting patients, and ask visitors with flu symptoms to wear a surgical mask.

Edward's policy prohibits anyone under 18 from visiting patients, and asks others -- sick or well -- to stay home if possible. People with flu symptoms will be asked to wear a mask while at the hospital.

In a press briefing Oct. 30, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control, said children were a particularly high priority for prevention and treatment. While kids aren't the only ones getting sick, most of the H1N1 deaths are people younger than 65, whereas in a typical flu season, most of the deaths are people older than 65, he said.

"We were kind of holding off (on the tighter restriction) for a bit but decided, based on the recommendation of our infectious disease physicians, and also seeing the numbers for flu on the increase, it just kind of makes common sense," said Jan Ciccarelli, director of marketing and community relations for Provena Saint Joseph Medical center.

"Really, the policy has been pretty much open-door for a while, not restricting children, rather encouraging anyone who would help brighten the day of somebody ill, as long as that wasn't disruptive." she said. "But in this situation, it makes more sense to restrict visitation."

The temporary policies will last throughout the flu season, which could stretch until spring, or until the threat of the H1N1 flu has diminished.

"We're all very focused on families being involved in healing. So this was a big step for us," said Adventist spokeswoman Julie Busch.

"(Adventist's visitation policy) is very open. That's why it took a lot of consideration to do this," she said. "We have fold-out beds for family members to stay in the rooms with them at all times. It was hard, but people understand."

The spokespeople say their hospital staff have gradually been getting vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, depending on the hospital's supply of vaccine, with those who have the most direct contact with patients receiving it first.

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