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Local Hospitals To Restrict Visitors

Todays is : Thursday, 11 March 2010

Written by Carroll Buckley
Friday, 30 October 2009
El Centro Regional Medical Center and Pioneers Memorial Hospital have announced that , under a new policy , they will prohibit visitors under the age of 16 from patient care areas and limit the number of adults who can visit to two. The new rules take effect on Monday , November 9 and will remain in place until further notice according to officials at both hospitals.Hospital officials said the policy prohibiting children under 16 relates to a Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) finding that young people are more at risk as carriers and transmitters of the seasonal flu and the N1H1 , swine flu , virus. Many hospitals nationwide are following the CDC guidelines and instituting stricter visitor policies during the period of influenza outbreak. " This policey is to protect our patients , our community and our caregivers " , said John A Coldsmith, MSN,CRNI, Chief Nursing Officer at Pioneers. Starting November 9, the following will be in place at both hospitals: Visiting hours will be limited to between noon and 8:00 p.m. Children under age 16 , unless they are a patient , will not be allowed to visit patient care areas. Individuals with uper respiratory illness , such as a cough or fever , will be asked not to visit. Hand hygiene materials are provided throughout both hospitals for visitors.