Westerly, Fatima restrict visitors due to H1N1

The Westerly Hospital and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital have joined most of their peers across the state in tightening their visitor policies in response to the H1N1 epidemic, barring children under 18 and people with “flu-like” symptoms from visiting patients.
Not all hospitals have been this strict; some, Southcoast Hospitals Group, for example, only barred children from visiting the maternity and pediatric wards. The Lifespan health system, on the other hand, imposed a blanket ban.
The Westerly policy, effective Nov. 6, goes farther, limiting visitors to the maternity ward to two people at a time, plus the mother’s “significant other.” Visitors younger than 18 will be allowed if they are the mother’s children or “significant other,” but first they will be required to undergo a health screening at the nurses’ station.
“We regret any inconvenience that this change in policy may cause our visitors,” said Dr. Michael Dobson, chairman of the hospital’s Infection Control Committee. “Due to the increase in the number of individuals developing flu-like illness, it is vitally important that we take all necessary precautions to minimize the spread of illness among our patients, visitors and employees. This is certainly an unusual time, and we wish to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
The Westerly Hospital is also requiring patients who have a cough or flu-like symptoms to wear a face mask during their stay, provided by the hospital.
For more information about Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, go to www.fatimahospital.com. For more information about The Westerly Hospital, go to www.westerlyhospital.com.

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