Michigan hospitals issue flu guidelines

The University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) in Ann Arbor are now putting in place temporary visitor guidelines designed to slow the spread of all types of flu, including H1N1 or swine flu. According to a news release, these new guidelines apply to all UMHS hospitals, health centers and other treatment locations throughout Southeast Michigan and the SJMHS hospitals and health centers including St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, Livingston, Oakland, Saline, St. Mary Mercy Livonia and Chelsea Community Hospital.

Both of these major health systems ask for the public’s help in protecting patients by cooperating with these guidelines:

* People who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should not come to any UMHS or SJMHS facility for any reason, except to seek care. This includes not only patients’ loved ones but those with business reasons for visiting these facilities. Flu-like symptoms are a fever over 100 degrees F, together with a cough, sore throat, or runny nose. Exceptions will be allowed only with the approval of the patient’s care team.

* No visitors under the age of 16 will be allowed to visit any hospitalized patient, except in certain circumstances that must be cleared by the patient’s care team. Visitors under the age of 16 are strongly discouraged in outpatient settings as well. This age group is most susceptible to the H1N1 flu virus, and high rates of illness are being seen in children and teens.

* No patient who has been admitted to any hospital or emergency department belonging to either health system may have more than two visitors to their room at a time. Visitors should be limited to those who are essential to the emotional and physical support of the patient. Exceptions can be made by the patient’s care team and should be approved in advance before visitors arrive at the hospital.

* Examples of situations that would warrant an exception: if a person with flu-like symptoms or under the age of 16 is absolutely essential to support a patient, if a person under 16 is the parent of a patient, or if a patient is close to death. Visitors allowed under these exceptions will be asked to wear masks as appropriate.

Hospitals across the country are implementing new visitor guidelines to slow the spread of flu, which has become widespread in Michigan. Patients who are hospitalized include many people who are much more likely than the general public to develop severe complications if they catch the flu.

”While we recognize the inconvenience of visitor restrictions, it is very important that we seek to provide a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff and visitors,” says Anthony Denton, senior associate director and chief operating officer of UMHHC. “We look forward to easing the visitor restrictions in the future when it appears safe to do so."

“The physicians and staff at St. Joe’s and U of M hospitals are doing everything they can to keep patients healthy during this flu season. But, the community can help us too," says Lakshmi Halasyamani, M.D., vice president for quality.

Info: St. Joseph/Mercy Health
        University of Michigan Health System