Main Line Health Changes Visitor Policy to Protect Patients This Flu Season

Monday, October 26, 2009

(Bryn Mawr, Pa.)—Taking another step to keep patients and staff as healthy as possible during the flu pandemic, Main Line Health (MLH) has announced a change to its hospital visitor policy. Effective immediately, Main Line Health requires that only friends and family 17 years of age and older visit Main Line Health hospitals, including Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Hospital, Paoli Hospital, Riddle Memorial Hospital, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, and Mirmont Treatment Center.

“As patient safety is our number one priority, we are taking seriously what is now officially a flu pandemic, and we are determined to reduce potential flu risks to our patients and staff,” said Michael Reno, Vice President of Bryn Mawr Hospital and Director of Disaster Preparedness for Main Line Health. “Because statistics indicate children are more likely to catch and transmit the H1N1 flu virus, we feel it is important to take this action.”

In addition, visitors of any age are asked to postpone their visit if they have or recently had a fever or any other flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has flu-like symptoms or has been diagnosed with the flu.

This policy, which will be in effect for the duration of the flu pandemic, is consistent with guidelines from OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is in line with policies at other hospitals in the Philadelphia region and across the country.

“We understand limiting visitors to 17 and older means some of our patients may not receive visits from certain family or friends, but our primary goal is to keep all of our patients as healthy as possible by decreasing their chance of catching the flu,” explained Reno.

Exceptions to this policy can be made by the treating healthcare provider for end-of-life and other humanitarian situations.

This new hospital-wide visitation policy joins other MLH flu precautions and initiatives for the community, including:

increased emphasis on infection prevention techniques, including hand washing
distribution of respiratory etiquette packets for visitors
seasonal flu vaccination programs at area schools
free seasonal flu vaccination at ten Philadelphia and Main Line locations, primarily for those 65 and older
extensive information and interviews on flu prevention and treatment at www.mainlinehealth.org/fluinfo

For more information on the flu, or to request an appointment with a Main Line Health physician, visit www.mainlinehealth.org.

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