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Oct 30, 2009 6:07 pm US/Central
Minn. Hospitals Team Up, Tighten Visitor Policies
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
Since September, 655 people have been hospitalized with the H1N1 virus -- 9 have died. Twenty-nine Twin Cities hospitals have teamed up to try to stop the spread of H1N1 and it all starts with visitors.
"What the public should not take away from this is [that] it's a catastrophe. Things are under control hospitals are busy but it's something we can cope with", said Allina Medical Director Steven Bergson.
For the first time, Minnesota hospitals are banding together to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu to patients and visitors by increasing restrictions for those coming in.
"It appears the peak is 3 or 4 weeks away so we felt it was important to take these measures now," said North Memorial Medical Center Vice President Tom Timmons.
Most hospitals are limiting the number of visitors to 3 or 4.
There are cut backs on visiting hours and new rules for children who visit.
"Brothers and sisters must be 5-years-old to visit. All other visitors must be at least 16-years-old ", said Fairview Health Services Dr. Gretchen Phillips.
That means 3-year-old Dakota would not be allowed in the hospital to visit his grandmother starting Monday.
"It makes sense but there should be exceptions for healthy children," said Dakota's father James Guggenberger.
People flooding into emergency rooms has doctors are urging those with flu symptoms not to panic and rush in. They said to call your doctor or clinic.
They say cutting down on the number of sick people coming into the hospital will keep patients and visitors safer.
"Keeping people with H1N1, symptoms or even a cold should not come into the hospital so it's a good idea," said hospital visitor Kaaren Olsen.
Hospital restrictions start Monday and emergency managers admit it may be hard to monitor.
Each health care system has slightly different visitor polices so patients are asked to check online or by phone for rules at their specific hospital.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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