Allina to limit visitation to all hospitals due to H1N1
MINNEAPOLIS 10/30/2009--Allina Hospitals & Clinics will implement new restrictions on all visitors to patients in its hospitals due to the H1N1 virus. The new visitor rules will take effect on Monday, November 2. These new restrictions are in addition to those that went into effect on Oct. 17 for hospital birth centers and pediatrics units.
The limits are designed to limit patient and staff exposure to possible H1N1 infection. While we wait for broader distribution of the H1N1 vaccine, our primary defense against the flu is prevention and the new visitor policy is an additional tool to prevent exposure of our patients to the virus.
Starting Monday morning the following visitor restriction will go into effect at all Allina hospitals:
- Hours:
- General visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Birth center and pediatric department visiting hours remain 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Spouse (or parent, if patient is a child) may visit at any time.
- Age:
- Age 16 and older for non-immediate family
- No children under age 5 may visit.
- Siblings/children of patient, ages 5 and older may visit with adult supervision.
- A maximum of three visitors per patient is allowed at a time.
- Compassionate exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Detailed information about the new Allina visitor policy is available online at Allina.com/flu. Allina Twitters H1N1 news at @AllinaH1N1.
The new policy affects Allina's 11 hospitals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis; United Hospital, St. Paul; Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids; Unity Hospital, Fridley; St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee; Cambridge Medical Center; Buffalo Hospital; Owatonna Hospital; New Ulm Medical Center; Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis; and River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin.
Signage will be displayed throughout Allina's hospitals announcing the policy and asking visitors not to try to visit patients if they have flu-like symptoms.
The health and safety of our patients and employees is our top priority. The new visitor policy is designed to limit exposure of our patients to the H1N1.
Additional visitor limitations at Allina birth centers and pediatric units
All visitors to Allina birth centers and pediatric units will continue to be asked to sign in and complete a Wellness Screening prior to visiting patients. Those who exhibit flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to visit patients.
This is to protect patients who are the most vulnerable to the H1N1 virus. Visitors to other parts of the hospitals will not be required to sign in or be screened.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, more than 90 clinics, and health care services, including home care, hospice and palliative care, oxygen and medical equipment, pharmacies and emergency medical transportation.
The latest Allina news is available at AllinaNews.com.
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