During this time of increased flu activity, Parma Community General Hospital is taking proactive steps to protect the health of its patients, their families and staff by implementing a flu safety visitation policy.

Under the temporary visitation restrictions:

• Visitors who have any flu-like symptoms or have been diagnosed with the flu within the past seven days will not be permitted in the hospital. An individual with flu-like symptoms should only come into the hospital if he/she is personally in need of medical treatment.
• Those visiting patients being treated for influenza will be asked to wear personal protective equipment and limit their movement within the facility.
• Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted in the hospital (including the Small Wonders Maternity Unit). Only children in need of medical treatment should come to the hospital.
• Patients are strongly encouraged to limit their visitors.
• All visitors are requested to wash their hands before and after a patient visit, using soap and water or the alcohol gel located near each patient room.

In cases with extenuating circumstances, such as if a patient is critically or terminally ill and wishes to see family, visits will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

“The new rules are intended to help lower the risk of infection from the H1N1 virus,” says Eva Szathmary, MD, Parma Hospital’s director of the Division of Infectious Diseases. “Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the H1N1 virus, therefore we want to make sure we keep healthy children from getting sick and protect patients from possibly being exposed to the virus by young, infected visitors.”

Patricia Ruflin, president and CEO understands that this change may inconvenience some families, but adds: “Patient safety and the safety of our visitors and staff is our first priority. Many patients have suppressed immune systems and pregnant women and newborns have been particularly susceptible, so it’s important that we be proactive now and take extra precautions to protect them.”
 
Parma Hospital reminds people to cover their coughs and sneezes and perform proper hand hygiene frequently.