Public Health recommends limits on visitations during flu season
October 14, 2009
The community is now experiencing an increase in flu-like activity within the schools, urgent cares and hospital emergency departments. In keeping with a commitment to patient safety, Linn County Public Health (LCPH) has recommended the following precautions for both Mercy and St. Luke’s in order to minimize patient exposure to the seasonal and H1N1 influenza virus.
Effective Friday, October 16:
-No visitor will be permitted to visit who exhibits signs or symptoms of influenza unless certain circumstances apply.
Signs and symptoms include a fever greater than 100, with one or more of the following: respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath), fatigue, chills, muscle pain and headache. Some signs may also include vomiting or diarrhea.
-Hospital school tours will be postponed.
-Support groups and classes with infants will be discontinued until further notice
-Sibling birth classes will be postponed until further notice.
The following activities will continue but only with a health screening, which means a temperature and symptom check.
-Hospital and Birth Center tours
-Prenatal classes for expectant parents
And between now and Sunday, November 1:
Visitors at both hospitals MAY be limited to two adult visitors at any given time per patient unless there is a special circumstance, such as critically ill or end-of-life patient situations. Adult is defined as 18 years of age or older. These precautions mean children are not allowed to visit.
Once these restrictions go into effect -- they will stay in place until further notice.
