Hospital restricts visitors due to flu

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Margaret Mary Health has implemented visitor restrictions to minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses, including the flu. The following precautionary restrictions apply to visitation at the Main Campus location, 321 Mitchell Avenue, Batesville.

No visitation by anyone who is currently ill or has been ill within the last 48 hours with any respiratory symptoms, including, but not limited to, cough, fever, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat, etc. (If lingering cough still persists after resolution of all other symptoms, please mask while in all MMH facilities and perform hand hygiene frequently).

No visitation by anyone under the age of 14. Children in this age group are more likely to be carrying viral or other contagious illnesses even if they are not showing active symptoms. Even if they do not get sick themselves, they can pass these illnesses on to patients.

In the maternity services unit, the hospital will make the exception of restrictions for a newborn’s sibling(s) who are well at the time of the visit, as deemed by the maternity services staff.

“We have seen an increase in the number of patients diagnosed in our Emergency Room and physician offices with the flu and other respiratory illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), “ says Deanna Youngman, Margaret Mary’s Infection Prevention Coordinator. “To keep both you and your family members safe from the flu, it’s important you cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, wash your hands often and stay home when you are sick.”

During the flu season, families should also limit the number of relatives and friends accompanying patients to the hospital and/or doctor visits.

Margaret Mary is working to protect patients as much as possible from exposure to respiratory illnesses by providing seasonal flu vaccines to staff and implementing ‘respiratory etiquette’ practices. The hospital has also made hand sanitizer, tissues and facemasks available to both patients and visitors at the entrances of all hospital facilities.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protection against flu viruses. Keep in mind it can take the body up to two weeks to develop immune protection.

It’s not too late to get your flu shot. Call the Occupational Health & Wellness Center at 812-932-5105 to schedule your appointment.