Visitation guidelines have been implemented at Capital Region hospitals to combat flu.
With New York among 16 states reporting widespread flu activity, upstate hospitals have posted guidelines for visitors to help protect patients. Rebecca O'Donnell is Albany Medical Center's director of epidemiology
“No visitors under the age of 12. Particularly because children are more likely to carry viruses. They're heavily exposed in the school setting and so forth. No visitors with cold respiratory or flu like symptoms will be allowed and no more than two visitors in a patient room at a time.”
All visitors are being urged to use hand washing stations before and after leaving patients rooms. O'Donnell adds it's never too late to get a flu shot.
- Hospitals implementing the restrictions include Albany Med; Columbia Memorial Health; Saratoga Hospital; Ellis Medicine, including Ellis Hospital and Bellevue Woman’s Center; St. Peter’s Health Partners acute care hospitals including Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital; St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam; and Nathan Littauer Hospital. Glens Falls Hospital implemented restrictions last week.
Some hospitals have special care units or physical layouts which may have additional visitation restrictions or modifications. People wishing to visit specialty care units or birthing centers are encouraged to call their local hospital to clarify their visitation policies.