FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2009

CONTACT:

Lisa Huddleston, manager of communications
OR
Tonda Francis, vice president
Greater Cincinnati Health Council
(513) 531-0200

Visitor Restrictions Currently Enforced at Greater Cincinnati Hospitals

Visitors Who are Ill, Under 14 Not Permitted to Visit in Effort to
Limit Spread of Respiratory Illnesses, Including H1N1

Due to the presence of the H1N1 virus and increasing activity of flu-like illness throughout the Tristate, all area hospitals within the Greater Cincinnati region continue to enforce visitor restrictions that went into effect September 21. The limited visitation policies will minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses (that may include the H1N1 virus) to hospital patients and health care workers.

Throughout the region, Greater Cincinnati hospitals are enforcing the following restrictions:

In addition, because of the unique vulnerability of the pediatric population to the H1N1 virus, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has implemented restrictions that further limit visitation to parents and guardians only.

“Right now all of the hospitals are being very diligent at enforcing these visitor restrictions,” says Tonda Francis, vice president of the Greater Cincinnati Health Council. She emphasizes that hospitals don’t normally discourage visitors. “But right now full compliance to these visitor restrictions is crucial for ensuring the safety of both patients and staff who work in the hospitals.”

Hospitals’ decisions about visiting restrictions vary with the types of patients they serve and the specific services provided. For example, those hospitals serving special patient populations such as burn, transplant or ICU patients may institute even more restrictive visitation policies.

Area hospitals have been working to protect their patients as much as possible from being exposed to respiratory illnesses including H1N1. Hospitals are providing both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines (as it becomes available) to hospital staff.

In addition, hospitals have put “respiratory etiquette” practices in place including making alcohol hand gel, tissues and face-masks available to patients and visitors in the emergency department and waiting rooms, and in some cases, separating an area in the emergency department waiting room for those with respiratory symptoms.

“If you are sick, please use good common sense to prevent the spread of germs that may make others sick,” Francis said. “If you have a fever, cough or other respiratory illness, don’t visit patients in hospitals or nursing homes. In fact, the best precaution is to just stay home. If you must go out, remember to cover your cough and wash your hands frequently,” Francis added.

To keep from spreading respiratory illnesses including H1N1 to others, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends careful hand-washing, coughing and sneezing into a sleeve or a tissue, and staying home from work or school at least 24 hours after fever free.

For more information on flu prevention, visit www.flu.gov.

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