Under new restrictions intended to protect patients and young visitors from H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, only people older than 18 and family of patients are allowed to visit St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center patient-care areas.
The policy was implemented Thursday, Sept. 24, according to a hospital news release.
Grandparents and significant others of unmarried patients are included in those allowed to visit.
The hospital stated that the policy is a precaution to protect St. Luke's most at-risk patients—children. And it's for the good of young visitors, who could be exposed to the virus at the hospital.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, children are one of the demographics most at risk to contract the H1N1 virus, and it can be contagious up to two days prior to symptoms. Because children may have the virus and not even know it, it's "even more critical" to limit their access to these hospital units, the hospital said.
Many hospitals nationwide are also taking the CDC's findings seriously and have restricted young visitors.
Tonia Bruess, marketing and public relations coordinator for St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, said St. Luke's in Boise has restricted visitations for the same reasons, as has Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
St. Luke's reported that the Mother-Baby Unit has also limited visitation to protect newborns from infection. Only spouses, legal guardians, labor support people, grandparents and siblings—under 18 years old or not—of newborns will be allowed to visit.
But siblings could also be prohibited if levels of illness in the community increase.
The release stated that the policy will remain in place until further notice, but it's just for the flu season.
Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com
