Helping You to Prevent the Flu 

Changes to Visitation Policy at Caldwell Memorial are designed to protect patients, visitors, and staff by minimizing flu transmission.

Lenoir-(September 14, 2009)-As the Southeast begins to experience the resurgence of H1N1 flu, Caldwell Memorial is temporarily changing its visitation policy effective Monday, September 21,  in order to help minimize the spread of flu in our community.  Visiting Hours will be from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.  Intensive Care Visiting Hours will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.  Some units may have more restrictive hours if necessary to protect the health of patients, and rare exemptions to the policy may apply.  Visitation will return to normal when the pandemic ends.

Also as of Monday, September 21, visitation by children and youth under 18 years of age (excluding current Student Interns) will be not be allowed unless special exemptions apply.  This temporary change is due to the increased risk that children and young adults will get H1N1 flu.  This age group also has a higher risk of developing more serious illness or requiring hospitalization if they do get this new flu.

In order to protect our patients, visitors, and staff, Caldwell Memorial is asking everyone to self-screen for flu-like symptoms.  Sick employees and volunteers will be sent home and will not be allowed to return to work until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Visitors over 18 years of age will be asked to self-screen for fever and respiratory symptoms (flu-like illness).  These include nasal congestion, sore throat, and/or cough.  Additional H1N1 symptoms may include chills, diarrhea, body aches, fatigue, vomiting and headache.  Anyone having these symptoms should follow the self-care guidelines for flu-like illness below and not visit the hospital until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.  Those who develop flu-like symptoms during their visit will be asked to put on a surgical mask, disinfect their hands, and leave the hospital immediately. 

All staff and visitors will be expected to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer when entering the hospital and/or any of our hospital practices.  Hand sanitizers are conveniently located outside the elevators and in patient rooms at Caldwell Memorial, and at the front desk of each practice.

There are a few exceptions to Caldwell Memorial’s temporary visitation policy change.  Excepted from the policy are visitors who are “direct and essential caregivers” to CMH patients.  Examples include mothers and fathers of sick children, and close family or friends of a patient who remain with and provide care-giving directly to that specific patient during his/her hospital stay.

These temporary changes supplement Caldwell Memorial’s internal efforts to minimize flu transmission including isolating patients who are sick with suspected flu and establishing a designated area for flu treatment if needed. 

To self-care or care for a family member or friend with flu-like illness, CDC recommends the person:

·         Stay at home and avoid contact with others.  Do not travel, go to work or school for at least 24-hours after are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicines.  Exceptions include leaving to get medical care if needed and necessities. 

o        “Warning! Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. For more information about Reye’s syndrome, visit the National Institute of Health website.” -  from CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm.

·         If you leave the house or share common space at home with others, wear a facemask (if available and tolerated).  If you share common space with someone at high risk for flu complications, this is especially important.

·         Get plenty of rest and drink clear liquids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.

·         Cover your coughs and sneezes.  Use tissue if available and throw used tissues immediately into the wastebasket.

·         Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, particularly after coughing or sneezing into hands.

·         Watch for emergency warning signs that indicate you should seek immediate medical care (below).

Anyone who feels that they need medical (non-emergent or hospitalized care) will be asked to contact their personal healthcare provider.   It is very important to contact your healthcare provider before going to his/her office for treatment.  Those without a personal physician or healthcare provider may contact PLUS Urgent Care at Falls Medical Park in Granite Falls at 757-5060. 

Since most cases of H1N1 experience only mild illness and recover without treatment, CDC and North Carolina Public Health (NCPH) recommend not testing or treating for H1N1 unless the patient has severe illness (requiring hospitalization) or is at high risk for complications from the flu.  If you have flu-like symptoms and are unsure if you are in a high risk category, contact your healthcare provider or PLUS Urgent Care (757-5060).

Those at highest risk include:

·         Children younger than 5 years old

·         Adults 65 and older

·         Pregnant Women

·         Persons with certain chronic or immunosuppressive conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, emphysema, etc.)

·         Persons younger than 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

DO NOT use the Emergency Room for flu-like illness unless you have emergency warning signs.  These may include:

·         Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

·         Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

·         Sudden dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Severe or persistent vomiting

·         Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

·         In babies, bluish or gray skin color, lack of responsiveness or extreme irritation

Despite everything the medical community does to prepare for H1N1, some people will get sick with the flu.  It is a community-spread illness and exposure can occur anywhere.  That’s why it is up to everyone to help limit its spread.  To help prevent the flu at home and in our community, CMH and CDC remind you to:

·         Wash your hands thoroughly and often; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you are unable to wash your hands

·         Cough and/or sneeze into your sleeve or your elbow instead of your hands

·         Get your flu shots as soon as possible unless contraindicated

·         Stay home if you are sick.

To learn more, visit www.CaldwellMemorial.org or www.flu.gov.  

Caldwell Memorial appreciates the public’s cooperation during this flu pandemic.  By complying with the hospital’s temporary visitation policy changes, you are helping to minimize the spread of H1N1 this flu season.