Local hospitals limit visitation to reduce swine flu exposure

Children younger than 16 years old may not visit local hospitals during flu season this year, as a precaution to slow the spread of the H1N1 virus.
Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz each will limit visits based on guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At Dominican, officials are also limiting the number of visitors a patient can have to two at a time.
The restrictions took effect Wednesday, Oct. 21, and will continue until further notice.
“We have a family-centered approach to care at Dominican Hospital and realize that this restriction will impact families already dealing with the stress of having a loved one in the hospital,” hospital president Nanette Mickiewicz said.
“We also realize it will mean younger siblings will not be able to see the new baby immediately. However, our duty to the community mandates that we do what we believe is best for our patients and for the public’s health.”
Visiting restrictions extend to all parts of the hospitals, and exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis in extreme circumstances.
Dominican officials also urge people with influenza-like illness to stay home and call or see their primary-care physician.
Symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, vomiting and diarrhea.
Hospitals have begun to receive doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine for patients. There is also a free clinic at the Santa Cruz County Health Center, 1080 Emeline Ave., in Santa Cruz. The center is open 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed for furlough Friday, Oct. 23.
For information: 454-4000.