Frequently Asked Questions
H1NI Visitor Policy Questions
Interim Visitation Policy effective Monday, November 16, 2009:
No visitors under 16 years of age and restriction to two visitors per each patient.
Why is Memorial Medical Center restricting all visitors under the age of 16 and restricting visitors to two per each patient?
• Due to the severity of the H1N1 flu and its potential to spread to children, expectant mothers, and other patients, Memorial Medical Center will no longer allow visitors or family members under the age of 16 years to visit in the hospital.
• This decision is to keep our patient care and common areas as healthy and free from flu exposure as possible.
• The implications for infants, children and pregnant women who contract the flu can be very serious, and while we empathize greatly for our patients’ family and friends, our first priority and concern remains the well-being and health of our patients and employees.
• NOTE: This policy does not include patients who are younger than 16 years of age. It only pertains to visitors.
How did the hospital come to the conclusion of implementing this interim policy?
• Prior to making this decision, there was an ongoing sharing of information with teams and recommendation from the Infection Control Committee that determined the best and safest policy for protecting the health and safety of our patients during this unusual flu season.
• With the support of Stanislaus County Public Health Department and in conjunction with other hospitals in the County to implement the same policies on the same date.
How will this affect families currently dealing with end-of-life or other difficult health situations?
• The hospital will work with families on a case-by-case basis.
How long will this new policy be in place?
• We hope that this strategy will aid in limiting the presence and spread of H1N1 throughout the hospital.
• While flu season typically ends in April, the policy will be in effect until further notice as there is no way to predict and exact end date for this flu season.
• Our first priority and concern remains the well-being and health of our patients and employees.
How will the hospital implement this policy?
• At this time we are asking all visitors to voluntarily follow this policy for the sake of their health, that of their families and our patients.
• We encourage visitors to always keep identification on them while visiting the hospital, but because not everyone will have proof of age on them at all times, this will have to be implemented through an honor system.
What if a parent of a hospitalized infant or child is less than 16 years of age?
• An exception to the policy will be made for the parent of a baby being seen in the ED or parent of a baby in Family Birthing Center or child on Pediatrics, if that parent is less than 16 years of age and well.
Is it normal for a hospital to restrict visitors based on age or restrict the number of visitors?
• Yes, many other medical institutions throughout the country are following this practice and are restricting visits by children and number of visitors, during this flu season.