U of U Health Care Implements New Visitor Guidlines to Help Reduce Impact of Flu on Patients
Oct 12, 2009 10:12 AM
October 12, 2009 -- As the number of novel H1N1 and seasonal flu cases begins to rise in Utah, University of Utah Health Care is taking steps to help reduce the impact of the flu on its patients and staff. One important step is the implementation of new guidelines for visitors. These guidelines are necessary to protect patients who are most at risk of developing serious complications.“To fight the flu, we need everyone’s help,” said Dr. Tom Miller, M.D., chief medical officer for University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics. “We recognize these restrictions may be inconvenient and reflect a new way of doing things at our facilities, but we believe they are vitally important to reduce the impact of the flu on hospital patients.”
The new visitation guidelines, which apply to all University of Utah Health Care facilities, consist of the following:
- No visitors under 14. No one under the age of 14 is allowed in the hospital unless they are a patient.
- No more than two visitors at a time. This applies to both visitors in inpatient rooms and those accompanying patients to the emergency department. This will not apply to patients in end-of-life situations; please check with nursing staff.
- No sick visitors. If you have fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, please stay home.
- Patients should wear a mask. Wear a mask if you have flu or cold symptoms, as a patient.
- Visitors and patients should wash their hands frequently. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue or your upper sleeve.
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