With the flu season here and H1N1 on the rise, local hospitals are helping to curb the spread of infection. Please review the new hospital visitation policies here.
At Kaiser Permanente we continually review our infection control policies and practices as part of our planning and response to infectious diseases, including the H1N1 flu virus first identified last spring. This consistent review helps us make sure that our response to the H1N1 pandemic is comprehensive, effective, and based on current circumstances.
Effective immediately, we are enacting changes to our hospital visitation policy to protect the health of our patients, staff, other visitors, and the community at large.
Our existing policies have required ill people to not visit our hospitals. We are now specifically prohibiting people with a fever higher than 100 degrees, a cough or sore throat and/or any other flu-like symptoms from visiting our hospitals.
We also have determined that restricting hospital visitation for children 14 years old and younger is necessary. This step is based on clinical evidence that children are especially susceptible to the H1N1 virus. After considerable study, we determined that this increased level of protection is warranted.
Palm Drive Hospital
Following Sonoma County Department of Health Services recommendations, Palm Drive Hospital has revised our patient visitation restrictions. This new policy allows us to protect both our hospital staff as well as our patients. Effect immediately no one under the age of 14 will be permitted to visit patients at Palm Drive Hospital andthe number of visitors for any patient will be limited to no more than two visitors at a time. We understand that there are situations for which an exception to this policy is warranted. Please talk with us about your needs so that we can help you be where you need to be.
Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital From: Kevin Klockenga, President and CEO Dr. Gary Greensweig, Chief Medical Officer Katherine Hardin, RN, JD, Chief Nursing Officer
Dear Patients, Families and Visitors, Here at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, your health, safety and well-being are our top priorities. Like you, we remain concerned about the spread of flu this season, including the H1N1 (or Swine) Flu. We are taking many steps to prevent the flu from spreading.
Included in these steps aretemporary changes to our visiting policy that take effect starting Monday, November 9. Beginning November 9, no one under the age of 14 will be permitted to visit patients at Santa Rosa Memorial. Beginning Monday, the number of visitors for any patient also will be limited to no more than two visitors at a time.
Please do not visit if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, sniffles, aches, diarrhea or vomiting).
These precautions are among recommendations issued by Sonoma County Public Health officials to protect patients in local hospitals from exposure to respiratory infections.
Children under 14 are being temporarily restricted from visiting because they are at greater risk of complications from certain respiratory infections, especially the flu, and are more likely to pose a health risk to patients.
We understand these temporary restrictions will present unique challenges for some families, and realize there will be rare exceptions (such as end-of-life cases) in which young family members need to be allowed to visit their loved ones.
This was a very difficult decision for us to make, knowing how important family support is to the healing process. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us protect you during this public health emergency.
Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa
Sutter Hospital has revised its patient visitation policy during this seasonal flu season to following the recommendations of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. Effect immediately no one under the age of 14 will be permitted to visit patients at Sutter Medical Center andthe number of visitors for any patient will be limited to no more than two visitors at a time.
We appreciate your understanding and assistance in following our new policy.
