|
Hospital implements visitation guidelines |
|
|
|
Local Content -
Local News
|
|
Written by Staff reports
|
|
Friday, 23 October 2009 |
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Amid the rise of suspected and confirmed H1N1 cases in Jefferson County, Punxsutawney Area Hospital has implemented visitor restrictions.
Corporate Services Manager Laurie Klingensmith said based on recommendations relating to H1N1 from infection professionals and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the hospital has implemented visitor's restrictions, effective immediately.
• If you are not feeling well or have signs and symptoms of a cold or the flu — cough, runny nose, sore throat or fever — or if someone in your household has these symptoms, do not visit anyone in the hospital or accompany them to the hospital for outpatient services.
• Prior to coming to the hospital emergency room, please call your primary care or family physician for medical advice.
• If you need to come to the hospital for emergency room or outpatient services, bring only one person with you.
• Inpatient visitors will be restricted to only immediate family. No visitors under the age of 16 will be permitted to visit in-patients.
• Patients and visitors may be asked to wear a mask upon arrival when visiting a patient or while waiting to access outpatient services.
Klingensmith reminds everyone to follow the CDC guidelines for flu prevention.
"Public cooperation and adherence to these guidelines will be greatly appreciated and will enable us to better protect our patients and staff," she said.
Each week, the CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report.
According to the CDC, during the week of Oct. 4-10, a review of the key indicators found that influenza activity continued to increase from the previous week.
As of Thursday afternoon, the state Department of Health reported that there were 4,134 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Pennsylvania: 23 in Jefferson County; 10 in Indiana County; 20 in Clearfield County; five in Clarion County; four in Armstrong County; and three in Elk County.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 24 October 2009 )
|
