MONROE - On Monday, Monroe Clinic joined other hospitals across the nation, including Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington, in setting visitor restrictions due to concern over the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, according to a statement.
The clinic requests all visitors:
• Not to visit if they're under the age of 18.
• Not to visit if they are ill.
• Keep the number of visitors and length of visits to a minimum.
• Practice hand hygiene before and after each visit.
• If possible, call the patient on the phone rather than visit.
Monroe Clinic's restrictions are for children under the age of 18.
"Not only is this segment of the population one of the most at risk to contract the virus, but also they often forget to take normal precautions to avoid spreading infections," the clinic statement said.
The restrictions apply to all inpatient areas of the hospital.
In addition, visitation is restricted in the family birth center to the father of the baby or the mother's significant other, the statement said.
Parents are encouraged to arrive at their appointments without their children.
Toys will be removed from the hospital and pediatric areas because toys can pass germs and illness from one child to another.
Monroe Clinic will have signs posted and masks available at all clinic and hospital entrances.
The restrictions at the clinic are similar to the restrictions announced last week at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.
At Memorial Hospital, visitors can enter the building only at the main entrance or through the emergency room. Visitors can be screened at those entrances for signs and symptoms of any illness.
According to local health officials, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should take the following precautions to help prevent spreading infection:
• Stay home if sick. Most patients are not in need of immediate care. For the safety of others, refrain from visiting the emergency room or walk-in care.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Dispose of the tissue.
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently, and avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Put on an air filter mask before entering any health care setting.
The clinic requests all visitors:
• Not to visit if they're under the age of 18.
• Not to visit if they are ill.
• Keep the number of visitors and length of visits to a minimum.
• Practice hand hygiene before and after each visit.
• If possible, call the patient on the phone rather than visit.
Monroe Clinic's restrictions are for children under the age of 18.
"Not only is this segment of the population one of the most at risk to contract the virus, but also they often forget to take normal precautions to avoid spreading infections," the clinic statement said.
The restrictions apply to all inpatient areas of the hospital.
In addition, visitation is restricted in the family birth center to the father of the baby or the mother's significant other, the statement said.
Parents are encouraged to arrive at their appointments without their children.
Toys will be removed from the hospital and pediatric areas because toys can pass germs and illness from one child to another.
Monroe Clinic will have signs posted and masks available at all clinic and hospital entrances.
The restrictions at the clinic are similar to the restrictions announced last week at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.
At Memorial Hospital, visitors can enter the building only at the main entrance or through the emergency room. Visitors can be screened at those entrances for signs and symptoms of any illness.
According to local health officials, anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should take the following precautions to help prevent spreading infection:
• Stay home if sick. Most patients are not in need of immediate care. For the safety of others, refrain from visiting the emergency room or walk-in care.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Dispose of the tissue.
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently, and avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Put on an air filter mask before entering any health care setting.