Hospitals taking steps to combat spread of flu, other illnesses

ALBANY, N.Y. » Visitation guidelines are being implemented at several hospitals around the Capital Region to further protect patients from influenza and other infectious diseases.

These actions are being taken in response to increasing numbers of cases of the flu being reported across the state. Participating hospitals implementing the restrictions include Albany Medical Center, St. Peter’s Health Partners acute care hospitals — including Albany Memorial, Samaritan, St. Mary’s, St. Peter’s and Sunnyview Rehabilitation — Ellis Medicine acute care hospitals — including Bellevue Woman’s Center and Ellis Hospital — Glens Falls Hospital and Saratoga Hospital. Restrictions include:

• A maximum of two visitors will be permitted in a patient’s room at any time

• Children ages 12 and younger will be prohibited from visiting patients’ rooms, as they are more likely to have and transmit respiratory infections

• Visitors with a rash, diarrhea or respiratory symptoms including fever, sore throat, coughing or shortness of breath will be prohibited from visiting patients

The hospitals are also urging visitors to use hand-washing stations before entering and upon leaving a patient’s room. Hand sanitizers are also available at many entrances and other locations throughout these hospitals, including the doorways of many patient rooms.

Some hospitals have special care units or physical layouts which may have additional visitation restrictions or modifications.

These same guidelines were implemented in previous years to address influenza outbreaks and are intended to help limit the transmission of the virus and protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provide their care.

Hospital officials advised that it is still important to get the flu vaccine, as it offers protection against other circulating strains and will reduce the likelihood of severe illness.