LITCHFIELD – Meeker Memorial Hospital & Clinics has implemented visitor restrictions due to the prevalence of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV.
The restrictions are being implemented for the safety of patients, staff and the community, according to a release from the hospital.
The following restrictions will be in effect until further notice:
- It is recommended that no children visit hospital patients.
- No one under 18 is allowed to visit the Birth Center at this time, with the exception of siblings.
- For anyone with symptoms like scratchy throat, fever, cough, body aches, etc., a mask is required to visit patients.
- All visitors must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer prior to and after visitation.
- There are “hygiene” kiosks with masks and hand sanitizer located in the center of the lobby and in the hall on the third floor between the Inpatient and Behavioral Health inpatient units.
Area residents are encouraged to follow prevention strategies – get a flu shot, wash hands with soap and water, cover a cough and stay home when sick.
For more information go to
www.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html
or
cdc.gov/flu/
Birth Center restrictions have been in place due to cases of RSV and have been expanded to all patient care areas of the hospital because of flu.
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“By restricting visitors, we can help protect patients and others who are most susceptible to contracting respiratory illness and influenza,” Kari Olson, infection control nurse, said in the release. “We realize this may cause inconvenience for some people, but we are taking this step in the best interest of the health of our patients, visitors and staff members.”
