PROVIDENCE ANNOUNCES LIMITS
ON HOSPITAL VISITATION IN OREGON
DURING FLU SEASON

Oct. 9, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. – In response to concerns about the seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses, Providence Health & Services is announcing a new set of visitation guidelines at its eight Oregon hospitals. The new guidelines are designed to protect the health of patients, families and visitors.

Here are the main limitations on hospital visitation:

Anyone who is sick or has flu symptoms should not visit the hospital.
All visitors must be 18 years of age and older, unless they are members of the patient’s immediate family.
For each patient, there is a limit of two visitors in the hospital at any one time.
Individuals visiting the hospital for outpatient procedures who have a fever plus cough or sore throat should wear a surgical mask for the safety of others.

In addition, there are special precautions in place for intensive care units, pediatrics, and all maternity areas, including labor and delivery, postpartum, nursery and neonatal intensive care:

All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, including immediate family members, unless the person is the significant other of a maternity unit patient, or the parent of a NICU infant.
There is a limit of two designated support persons for families in labor and during the postpartum period. Support persons will be asked to stay home if they are ill, or have had a fever with a cough or sore throat in the previous 24 hours.

There are no visitation restrictions for patients receiving end-of-life care. However, visitors for these patients might be asked to take additional precautions, including wearing surgical masks and staying inside the patient’s room for the duration of the visit.

“We are taking these steps to make sure we are creating the safest possible environment for everyone who comes through our doors,” said Glenn Rodriguez, M.D., Providence’s chief medical officer in Oregon.

The visitation restrictions are temporary, and will be reviewed for possible changes during the flu season.

Providence also is stressing the importance of cleaning hands frequently and asking people to be sure to cover their faces when coughing or sneezing. Sanitizing gel stations are available throughout the hospitals, and patients, staff and visitors are encouraged to use them when entering or leaving a patient’s room.

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Providence Health & Services – Oregon, ranked as the seventh most integrated health care system in the nation, offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its eight hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 16,000 employees, Providence is the state’s largest private employer.