Has your hospital changed visitors policy r/t the flu?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I was very surprised to go to work today and find a notice that the hospital is now refusing visitors under the age of 16 because of the flu situation. I've got to say, it was much pleasanter than usual on the floor, for staff and patients alike, without the hordes of little children that are usually constantly underfoot. I was blown away that the hospital had made such a sensible decision!

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Specializes in CVICU.

Nope, and they've already said they won't. The other hospitals in the area are doing this, but now ours.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

It's about time.

I still get blown away by people who try to bring their newborns in to visit "grandma".

I mean really, how stupid can one be????????

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Specializes in NICU.

My hospital isn't allowing anyone under 16 onto the fifth floor, which houses L&D, postpartum, NICU, and PICU. Solid decision, I think.

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Specializes in med/surg and Tele.

I think that is a good idea as well. I know that my hospital isnt giving an age specific visitor but I do know that if youre a visitor and you seem to be sickly or coughing and sneezing alot they will kick you out and tell you not to come back until you have been cleared by a doctor. Also the same thing goes for the staff as well. If you call in sick for a cold they will tell you to stay out for a week until you can get cleared by employee health

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

No one under the age of 18 in LD and ICU, and we are supposed to screen visitors, if they havent had flu symptoms in the last 24 hour they get a green wrist band with the date on it. If they have flu symptoms we give them a mask and ask them to leave.

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No visitors under 18 and none with s/s of cold/flu

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Good practise:)

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Specializes in NICU.

Nobody under 12 yrs. It's a bit difficult using 18 yrs as so many parents are younger than that......

And I agree, it's wonderful. Security outside the front door, only kids allowed in are patients or related to dying patients. Only 2 banded visitors in the NICU and on Peds. This is supposed to last until March.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

No one under 16. This is the way it use to be many years ago and should have never been changed.

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Only 2 visitors at a time, must be immediate family, and no one under the age of 18. This applies to the entire hospital, the only area that kids can be in are our peds floors (as pts obv) and the cafeteria. Exceptions made for pts on comfort care and very special circumstances.

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Specializes in Telemetry/PCU.

Our hospital restricts visitors under the age of 12. They do it every flu season, this year is nothing new. Hate it when I see little kids crawling around on the floor (during the off season) and if you say something to the parents about it being dirty they give you nasty looks lol.

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