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Source: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/oct/26/lawnwood-tightens-visiting-policy-after-swine-flu-/
Lawnwood tightens visiting policy after possible swine flu-related death
By Hillary Copsey
Posted October 26, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
FORT PIERCE ? Following the weekend H1N1-related death at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute, hospital officials are announcing a more restrictive visiting policy aimed to stop the spread of swine flu.
Children younger than 16 will not be allowed in any intensive care unit at Lawnwood. Children are more likely to become sick with the flu or spread the H1N1 virus, which was first identified this spring and is now widespread throughout the Treasure Coast and Florida.
Lawnwood planned to start restricting visitors? access this week, but spokeswoman Jana Eschbach said the need was highlighted by the weekend death of a patient from swine flu complications. A 47-year-old Okeechobee County woman died after being transferred Saturday from Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee to Lawnwood with flu-like symptoms, said Okeechobee County Health Department spokesman Mitch Smeykal.
Hospital officials said samples from the patient were at a state lab to confirm the H1N1 diagnosis, a process that can take days.
Children visiting patients at Lawnwood?s birthing center, pediatrics department and women?s and children?s unit also will be under special restrictions, Eschbach said. Additionally, the hospital is restricting intensive care visits to 10 a.m. to noon, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.
Lawnwood is discouraging patient visits during the flu season, which lasts until May. Anyone who has been exposed to H1N1 or has flu-like symptoms ? including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea ? should stay home
Lawnwood tightens visiting policy after possible swine flu-related death
By Hillary Copsey
Posted October 26, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
FORT PIERCE ? Following the weekend H1N1-related death at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute, hospital officials are announcing a more restrictive visiting policy aimed to stop the spread of swine flu.
Children younger than 16 will not be allowed in any intensive care unit at Lawnwood. Children are more likely to become sick with the flu or spread the H1N1 virus, which was first identified this spring and is now widespread throughout the Treasure Coast and Florida.
Lawnwood planned to start restricting visitors? access this week, but spokeswoman Jana Eschbach said the need was highlighted by the weekend death of a patient from swine flu complications. A 47-year-old Okeechobee County woman died after being transferred Saturday from Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee to Lawnwood with flu-like symptoms, said Okeechobee County Health Department spokesman Mitch Smeykal.
Hospital officials said samples from the patient were at a state lab to confirm the H1N1 diagnosis, a process that can take days.
Children visiting patients at Lawnwood?s birthing center, pediatrics department and women?s and children?s unit also will be under special restrictions, Eschbach said. Additionally, the hospital is restricting intensive care visits to 10 a.m. to noon, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.
Lawnwood is discouraging patient visits during the flu season, which lasts until May. Anyone who has been exposed to H1N1 or has flu-like symptoms ? including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea ? should stay home