Conway Medical Center announces visitation restrictions

Due to the severity of the current flu season, Conway Medical Center will implement visitation restrictions to protect their patients, staff and visitors effective Wednesday, November 4, according to a press release.

Individuals in either of the following categories will not be allowed to visit patients:

• Persons under the age of 18.
• Persons experiencing any flu-like symptoms such as fever greater than 100, cough, sore throat or runny nose.

This temporary restriction is designed to help prevent the spread of both seasonal and H1N1 influenza.  Because H1N1 influenza appears to be more widespread among children and adolescents, restricting visitation by individuals in these age groups may help reduce the risk of spreading influenza to our patients and staff.

Exceptions to the visitation policy can be made in extraordinary circumstances, such as visitation requests for critically ill patients.  Individual nursing departments will have authority to handle these situations on a case-by-case basis.  Hospital personnel will work with family members to ensure that appropriate safety measures are used to protect patients and visiting children.

Anyone visiting with a patient on isolation precautions must wear the required protective equipment before entering the room.

All visitors, physicians, and hospital staff must wash their hands with soap and water or use an antibacterial hand gel before and after visiting patients. Soap and gel dispensers are available in the patient rooms and at other areas inside the hospital.