Northwestern Medical Center is asking patients to also consider limiting the number of people who accompany them to the Emergency Department. This is an addition to the earlier request that people consider minimizing visitation to the hospital in light of concerns relating to influenza within Vermont.
“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.”
“If patients are able to limit the number of people that come with them to the ED, we will be better able to provide comfortable, convenient waiting space for everyone.” said Molly Grismore, RN, Nurse Manager of NMC’s Emergency Department.
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.
The Vermont Department of Health continues to characterize 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. |