MEDIA CONTACT:
Christa Hyson, MPH
Senior Manager, External Relations
(513) 247-5254
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VISITATION RESTRICTIONS FOR HOSPITALS
Greater Cincinnati hospitals implement restrictions to limit spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses this season
CINCINNATI – With the number of flu cases rising, many hospitals in southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana are implementing limited visitation policies to minimize the spread of the flu and other respiratory diseases to hospital patients.
For the hospitals that are limiting visitors, most are initiating the following restrictions:
– No visitation by anyone who is ill with any respiratory symptoms including coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, etc; and
– No visitation by anyone under the age of 14
Hospitals’ decisions about visiting restrictions vary with the types of patients they serve and the specific services provided. For example, hospitals serving special patient populations such as obstetrics, pediatric, burn, transplant, or ICU patients may institute more restrictive visitation policies.
Also, hospitals that provide obstetrical services may make exceptions to the restrictions for a newborn’s siblings who have received their flu vaccination at least 14 days prior to visiting. Hospitals will consider other exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If you are planning to make a visit to a hospital, please contact the hospital for specific restrictions by location.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. It also recommends careful hand-washing, coughing and sneezing into a sleeve or a tissue, and staying home from work or school when you are sick.
For more information on flu prevention, go to: www.cdc.gov/flu. For the most up-to-date information on flu shot availability locally, contact your physician, pharmacist, or local health department.
Most area hospitals will discontinue visiting restrictions when flu activity has declined in the region.
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About The Health Collaborative: The Health Collaborative is a non-profit organization that leads data-driven improvements that result in healthier people, better care and lower costs. For more information about The Health Collaborative, visit healthcollab.org.
