Increase in Flu Incidence a Concern
Due
to an increase in influenza (flu) activity throughout North Carolina, Mission
Health asks that family and friends limit their visits to patients in the
hospital. In particular, Mission Health suggests that children under age 12 and
people who do not feel well should call patients rather than visit them at the
hospital. Mission Health is implementing this precaution at Mission Hospital
and all Mission Health member hospitals and affiliates in western North
Carolina including CarePartners in Asheville, McDowell Hospital in Marion,
Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in
Spruce Pine, Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital
in Highlands.
In addition to limiting exposure, the spread of the flu can
be controlled with frequent hand washing. All hospital visitors are urged
to wash their hands before and after visiting.
“The decision to limit patient visitations is based on recommendations
from Mission Health’s Infection Prevention Committee in a system-wide effort to
minimize the spread of influenza among our patients. Moreover, we don’t want
healthy visitors picking up the flu and then spreading it throughout the
community,” said William Hathaway, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Mission Hospital
and Mission Medical Associates. “Our patients are our first priority and their
health and safety is vital as we work toward our goal of achieving our BIG(GER)
Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also
without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”
Limiting visitations is a precaution often taken during flu
season when flu activity reaches a certain level. Should the flu activity
level increase, further restrictions may be recommended or implemented.
As a reminder, Mission asks that those who do not feel well at any time, and
not just during flu season, refrain from visiting loved ones in the hospital
for infection prevention reasons.
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