News
Oct. 23, 2009
Kootenai Medical Center further tightens visitor policy to prevent spread of flu
Beginning Monday, Oct. 26, Kootenai Medical Center will expand its recently-tightened visitor policy to all patient care areas. The expanded policy is intended to help stop the spread of flu to patients. The change is expected to remain in effect during the heightened portion of the flu season.
New patient protections state that:
- Children under the age of 18 will not allowed to visit any patient care areas
- Adults with coughs, colds, fevers and other flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to visit patient care areas
- Adult visitors must be immediate family members and must register at the nurse's desk before entering a patient's room.
"We're taking every reasonable precaution to protect our patients from the flu. The increased potential for the spread of both H1N1 and the seasonal flu now makes it critical to protect our patients -- who are already at risk for infection," said Lee Rieken, Kootenai's infection prevention coordinator.
In light of these new limitations, friends and family members are encouraged to use other avenues to pass along get-well wishes. To send a get- well e-card, visit www.KootenaiHealth.org. Cards and flowers may be dropped off at the Information Desk weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. In addition, flowers can be purchased and delivered through our gift shop at (208) 666-3479.
- ### -
Guidelines on flu care can be found at:
http://www.kootenaihealth.org/index.asp?w=pages&r=6&pid=10&n=120
For information on this release, contact: |