GW Hospital is taking special measures this flu season to protect our patients, visitors and staff. The spread of seasonal and H1N1 influenza in our community requires that hospitals take special measures to protect our patients and staff, including limiting their exposure to visitors who may have influenza. Because it is difficult to determine who may be infected with the influenza virus (people can be contagious before they start showing the symptoms of flu), these policy restrictions will apply to all visitors to our hospital inpatient units. The cooperation of our patients, their families and visitors will help us try and maintain their safety.
The following are temporary restrictions for GW Hospital visitors:
All Units:
- No visitors with any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
- No visitors under the age of 13.
- Visitors will be limited to two persons.
- Spouses/significant others, parents or direct caregivers (son, daughter or other immediate family member responsible for care) may be exempted from limits to visiting hours, at the discretion of the Unit Director.
- Visitors may be issued masks or other protective gear for use when visiting.
Adult Critical Care and Oncology Patients/Units:
- Visitors will be limited to spouses/significant others, parents or direct caregivers (son, daughter or other immediate family member responsible for care) only.
Women's Center (including NICU):
- Visitors will be limited to parents (in the case of infants and children) and spouse/significant other/support person (of women) only.
- Parents and spouses/significant others will be exempted from limits to visiting hours.
Note: There may be exceptions to this policy in certain very limited circumstances, such as situations where a patient is at the end of life. In cases where exceptions are made, it will be at the discretion of the House Operations Supervisor and GW Hospital leadership staff.
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