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NMC Advises Consideration Prior To Visiting the Hospital
In light of growing concerns relating to influenza within Vermont, Northwestern Medical Center is asking its community to consider minimizing general visitation to the hospital.
“We believe that family and friends can provide important support for our patients during the healing process,” said Sandy Robinson, RN, NMC’s Chief Nursing Officer & Director of Clinical Services. “However, given the increasing level of flu activity in the state, this is not the best time to be visiting a hospital.”
Individuals who have influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, etc) are asked not to visit patients at the hospital to reduce the risk of transmission to others. Individuals who are symptom-free are asked to consider minimizing visitation in an effort to reduce their own risk for being exposed to influenza. Parents are asked to give special consideration to minimizing visitation by children and young adults, as they are particularly susceptible to the H1N1 strain of the flu.
As of October 26, 2009, the Vermont Department of Health was characterizing the level of flu activity in the state as "widespread,” which they define as “Outbreaks of influenza or increases in ILI cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half the regions of the state.”
As a result, a number of Vermont’s hospitals have instituted formal limitations on visitation. NMC has not yet reached that stage, but is making preparations should that become necessary. “Should the level of flu activity here in our community increase, we may implement formal limitations on visitation,” said Robinson. “At this point, we are asking our community to use good judgment when visiting the hospital to minimize the risk of getting or spreading the flu.”
Northwestern Medical Center provides updates relating to the flu on its website, www.northwesternmedicalcenter.org and encourages people to visit www.healthvermont.gov or www.cdc.gov for additional information.
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