Floyd Valley Hospital restricts patient visitors

People with flu symptoms are currently banned from visiting patients at Floyd Valley Hospital.

That's part of the temporary restricted visitation policy recently posted at the building's entrances by hospital officials.

"A new strain of influenza, commonly known as H1N1, is currently widespread across the country," the policy states. "In order to protect our patients, guests and staff, we are temporarily modifying our visitor policy."

People with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, vomiting or diarrhea are not allowed to visit patients, it says.

Also under the policy, children and teens are also strongly discouraged from visiting hospital patients.

They may be contagious even before symptoms show up, according to a hospital news release.

"Since we know children and teens are the most vulnerable, we discourage people, even if they're immediate family, from bringing their kids and teens here," Floyd Valley Hospital administrator Mike Donlin said.

Children of current obstetrics (OB) patients will be allowed to visit but they must be screened by their parents, the policy states.

Grandparents and spouses of OB patients are also allowed to visit, but all other adult visitors will be screened by the nursing staff prior to them being allowed in the room.

General visitors to the hospital will be advised of the restrictions and may be asked if they have any flu symptoms.

The restriction policy is the same for staff members. If they have symptoms, they stay home.

"Because our patients have just had surgery, because they've had pneumonia, we just don't need any more flu virus in the building than will already come in," Donlin said. "We want to make sure this remains a safe place to be as a patient or as a worker."

Hospitals all around the area are adopting similar policies, Donlin said.

There is currently no quarantined portion of the hospital for influenza patients, he said.

"There are two rooms that their air circulation is designed to support that kind of thing if necessary," Donlin said. "It hasn't been necessary."