Atlanta hospitals change visitation policy for flu season

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Concerned about the impeding flu season, Atlanta area hospitals have adjusted their visitation policies to protect patients and staff.

Earlier this month Grady changed its policy, asking that no children or adolescents visit patients at the facility. If a child's visit would be beneficial to the emotional well-being of a patient, they will be allowed, officials said.

Emory Healthcare’s new guidelines prohibit anyone with a cough, fever or other influenza-like illness symptoms including chills, sore throat, sneezing, body aches or headache from visiting patientsl. In addition, children and adolescents younger than 16 years old also may not visit patients.

“In order to maintain these safeguards, Emory staff will ask inpatients to identify which individuals should be permitted to visit them to support their emotional well-being and care,” said Lance M. Skelly, associate director of media relations said in a statement.

Emory’s new policy, which affects Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown (previously Crawford Long Hospital), Emory Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital and Emory University Orthopedics & Spine Hospital, also covers their emergency departments.

Persons with a cough or influenza-like illness symptoms who accompany patients to the Emergency Departments will be asked to wear surgical masks while accompanying patients in the waiting area.

Piedmont Hospital’s policy also focuses on their emergency departments, said their spokeswoman, Diana Lewis. Their advisory is specifically for pregnant women and children under 18.

“We are advising them to only come to the emergency departments for emergency reasons,” Lewis said.

“These proactive steps are in an effort to contain and avoid the spread of influenza,” said Emory's Skelly. “In order to minimize and eliminate any confusion or inconvenience, we are also taking the opportunity now to inform our valued patients and their loved ones before they travel to and enter our facilities. Signs will be posted throughout the facilities, including the entryways to each hospital.”

Since the swine flu, also called the H1N1 virus, became widespread in the U.S. last spring, five people have died and 192 have been hospitalized in Georgia, according to state health officials.