Mt. Airy Hospital Limiting Visitors-Large Volume of Flu Cases
January 15, 2013
Mt. Airy, NC hospital, Northern Hospital of Surry County, is limiting visitors due to large number of influenza cases in its outpatient clinics and emergency room.
Source: Mt. Airy News
As a result of what officials there called “a large number of influenza (flu) cases in its outpatient clinics, emergency department and in the hospital,” Northern Hospital of Surry County is putting temporary restrictions on visitors younger than 18.
“We understand how important our young visitors are to our patients, but during this flu season, we feel we must put precautionary measures in place,” said Bill James, president and CEO of Northern Hospital.
“This decision is consistent with other hospitals in the region and will most likely remain for several months until the flu rate has significantly decreased.”
“We continue to ask visitors not to come to the hospital if they have any flu symptoms,” explained Kitty Horton, RN, director of Infection Prevention at Northern. “Children are often contagious before they show signs of an illness. Allowing this age group to visit in hospital patient areas at this time presents potentially critical risks to patients.”
In addition to patient rooms, those younger than 18 are also restricted from hospital lobbies, waiting areas, and classrooms. Exceptions would be made in serious emergencies or in end of life situations. The policy does not apply to patients under 18 who have a scheduled procedure, need emergency care or hospitalization.
Read more: Mount Airy News - Hospital limiting visitors
