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MGH CONTINUES RESTRICTED VISITATION POLICY
While other area hospitals have lifted their restricted visitation policies, Marion General Hospital has chosen to not do the same. Due to the unpredictability of the current flu season, MGH has chosen to be proactive and continue with restricted visitation because we believe the H1N1 flu virus is still a threat.
"The 2009-2010 flu season has not been typical of past years. There are now more uncertainties than ever with the H1N1 virus," states Jane Merchant, R.N., associate director of nursing. "Those uncertainties include not knowing how long the flu season will last or when it will peak."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in past years, seasonal flu activity did not peak until January or February. However, the H1N1 virus caused illness, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. during the summer months when influenza is very uncommon, so uncertainties clearly continue to exist.
Due to these facts; MGH has chosen to continue to temporarily restrict those under the age of 18 and adults showing signs of flu-like illnesses from visiting patients to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu within the hospital.- more -
Also, in order to continue to protect our newborns and young patients, who are particularly vulnerable to the H1N1 virus, Family Birthing Center and Pediatrics will continue to only allow immediate parents, guardian or caregiver, grandparents, and labor coach to visit patients and infants.
While we know this policy may cause inconvenience for our patients and family members, we hope you understand and appreciate our ultimate goal is the protection of our patients and Healthcare Community.
Any deviations from the policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis when needed. For more information on how you can protect yourself from the H1N1 flu, please visit www.flu.gov.
GRANT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT H1N1 CLINICS
For more information regarding Grant County Health Department H1N1 clinics, please visit www.grantcounty.net, click on departments, then click on health department, in upper left corner.
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