New visitor guidelines are now in place at all Intermountain Healthcare hospitals including the three facilities in Utah County – American Fork Hospital, Orem Community Hospital and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
The new guidelines include the following:
1. No children under age 14 will be allowed in the hospital unless they are a patient.
2. No more than two well visitors at a time in patient rooms, with exception of end-of-life situations.
3. No sick visitors. Anyone with a fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea is asked to stay home.
Patients with flu or cold symptoms will also be asked to wear a mask and wash hands frequently. These new visitor guidelines are being implemented due to the re-emergence of H1N1 and the start of the regular flu season. The Utah Hospital Association has issued a recommendation that all Utah hospitals follow similar guidelines.
“These new guidelines are being implemented as a precautionary action to protect the health and safety of our patients, employees, physicians and visitors,” said Neil Whitaker, MD, chief medical officer for Intermountain’s Urban South Region.
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