The spread of seasonal and H1N1 influenza in our community has prompted Civista Medical Center and other healthcare providers across the country to take special measures to protect patients, staff and visitors.  It is difficult to determine who may be infected with influenza as people can be contagious before they start showing the symptoms of flu, which include fever and a cough.  For this reason, Civista Medical Center has decided to limit visiting hours beginning October 15, 2009 and continuing throughout the flu season.  Thank you for your cooperation in helping to protect the safety of our patients, staff and visitors.

Regular inpatient units:

• There will be two blocks of visiting hours – one from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and one from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Visitors with any symptoms of influenza-like illness will be restricted.
• Visitors (including siblings) under the age of 18 should be restricted.
• Only two people may visit a patient at a time.
• Spouses/significant others, parents or direct caregivers (son, daughter or other immediate family member responsible for care) may be exempt from limits to visiting hours, at the discretion of the Patient Care Manager.

Visitors may be issued masks or other protective clothing for use when visiting. Visitors who do not wear this protective clothing in accordance with instructions will be asked to leave.

In addition to these general rules, we have further limitations to protect patients who are most at risk from influenza:

Intensive Care Unit:

• Visitors will be limited to spouses/significant others, parents or direct caregivers (son, daughter, or other immediate family member responsible for care) only.

Women’s and Children’s Units (to include Pediatrics, Nursery):

• Visitors will be limited to parents (in the case of infants and children) and spouse/significant other/support person (of women) only.
• Parents and spouses/significant others will be exempt from limits to visiting hours.

Emergency Department:

• Limited to one visitor at a time with the exception of parents.
• In order to limit exposure to the flu, Emergency Department patients are encouraged to only bring one visitor with them when they come.

Note: There may be exceptions to this policy in certain, very limited circumstances.  In cases where exceptions are made, it will be at the discretion of the physician, nursing and hospital leadership.