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| Hospitals Take Precautions Against Spread of Flu |
It's no secret that Flu season is in full swing around the country with a record number of people being admitted to hospital ICU wings.
In a effort to prevent any further spread of the flu OSF Saint Mary is restricting visitor access.
A news release sent out Wednesday afternoon says the hospital will be complying with the Illinois Department of Healths suggestion of visitor restrictions due to cases of the flu in the community.
Visitors are asked to stop by any nurses desk before entering any patients room.
OSF Vice President of Operations Roxanna Crosser tells WGIL the hospital's looking out for those at a high risk of spreading or contracting the flu.
"The biggest restriction is anybody under the age of 18. It's really for the safety of those individuals. A lot of our positives are affecting the younger people and so to ensure for newborns and younger children for not only those who are in the hospital but those also coming in. So any person under the age of 18 we're asking not come to the hospital."
Crosser says children and infants tend to have lower immune systems and it's best to keep them out of a high risk area even if they've gotten a flu shot.
They're also asking anyone displaying symptoms of Coughing, Fever, Chills, Headache, Vomiting, Sore Throat or any other symptoms linked to the Flu not to visit.
Signs will be posted on elevators and entrances around the hospital with a list of restrictions.
These restrictions also include OSF Saint Frances in Peoria.
Officials at Galesburg Cottage Hospital say they've had similar visitor restrictions in place for awhile now, with signage up throughout their hospital and clinics as well. |
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| 01 17 13 by Newsroom |
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