Union Hospital Announces Changes in Visitation Policy Amid H1N1 Concerns
Union Hospital's first priority is the safety of our patients, visitors, employees and volunteers. Due to the severity of the H1N1 flu and its potential to spread to patients and staff, Union Hospital announced that effective Tuesday, October 27, 2009, only two designated visitors per patient will be permitted. Visitors under the age of 18 will no longer be allowed in patient care areas. In addition, patients being treated in the emergency department will be permitted only one support person in the treatment area.
“We recognize that this may be an inconvenience, but we believe it is in the best interest of our community to implement this change,” said Kenneth Lewis, M.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Hospital. “Like other hospitals across the country implementing visitation policy changes, we feel very strongly about the importance of limiting the risks of exposure to our patients.”
Union Hospital has put up signs at entrances and on nursing units to help alert visitors to the policy change. In addition, patients will receive an informational brochure. Upon admission to the hospital patients will be asked to designate two individuals to visit them during their hospital stay. These individuals will be given an ID band and be required to wear the band during the patient’s entire hospital stay.
“Union Hospital takes the health risks associated with the H1N1 flu very seriously,” said Cheryl Hewlett, PhD, MBA, MSN, RN, Policy Coordinator and Infection Control Practitioner. “We are hopeful that this proactive strategy will help in limiting the presence and spread of H1N1 throughout the hospital.”
Dr. Hewlett said the new policy was designed to keep patients and visitors healthy and curtail the rate of infection from the H1N1 flu. The hospital will revert back to its former visitation policy as soon as health officials believe the threat from the H1N1 flu is over. She also noted that exceptions will be made for extenuating circumstances, such as a family crisis.
The understanding and support of the community is needed and appreciated. These changes in the visitation policy compliment Union Hospital’s mandatory employee vaccination and hand washing initiatives.