Hospitals further restrict visitation to slow flu spread

[ Originally published on: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 ]

GREENFIELD -- Baystate Franklin Medical Center has changed its visitors policy to reduce the exposure to the flu virus at the hospital and health care facilities.

Effective today:

u No visitors under 13 years old will be permitted in Baystate hospitals.

u No more than two visitors at a time are recommended per patient.

u Visitors should be limited to those essential to the patient's comfort and well-being.

Additionally, to help reduce exposure to H1N1 in the waiting rooms of doctors' offices and other outpatient settings:

u Patients should come to appointments alone or be accompanied by no more than one other person, if needed.

u Patients are discouraged from bringing children with them to their appointments.

''We take the H1N1 health risks seriously and feel strongly about protecting our patients and staff. As a result, we are changing our visitors policy to reduce patient and employee exposure to flu in all Baystate Health hospitals and outpatient settings,'' said Deborah Morsi, chief nursing officer for Baystate Health.

''These restrictions are in place because having fewer visitors and guests in our hospitals and waiting rooms will reduce flu exposure for everyone,'' she added.

For the full version of this story, you may purchase The Recorder electronically, by returning to the home page and clicking under ''E-Edition'' on the right side of your screen, or you can purchase the print edition, which is available throughout Franklin County, Massachusetts.

 

---