More Michiana hospitals revamp visitor policies during flu season

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By WSBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Oct 18, 2009 at 6:19 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 18, 2009 at 6:26 AM EST

Memorial Hospital of South Bend was the first to restrict visitors to those 18 and older in the flu season onset. Now, other area hospitals are also making changes to protect patients, visitors and staff.

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Community Hospital of Bremen now requires visitors must be at least 18 years old. Only two visitors per patient at a time in regular rooms and only one visitor per patient in the emergency room.

Elkhart General Hospital is “strongly encouraging” people who aren’t feeling well not to visit patients and not to bring children.

Goshen General Hospital is “highly recommending” children do not visit patients who have been confirmed as having influenza.

Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mich. suggests those who aren’t feeling well to not visit the patients.

For visitors who do come, there are hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility and visitors are asked to cover their mouths if they cough and then to immediately wash their hands.

Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend is “strongly encouraging” visitors be 18 years of age or older. People with flu-like symptoms are asked not to visit patients.

There are “Flu Stations” set up at each hospital entrance with items including masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.

A separate area has been set up in the emergency room for flu patients and there’s a limit of one visitor per patient in that area only.

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