Hospital puts limit on visits due to flu Area facilities deal with spread of virus

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

Area hospitals are seeing increases in flu and flulike symptoms and are asking that the public limit visitations to patients to help prevent spreading the highly contagious virus.

Jameson Hospital in New Castle, Pa., moved to limit visits after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified regional flu activity throughout Pennsylvania.

Jameson officials said its request for limited visitation extends to all areas of care, including the emergency department and surgical areas.

Jameson is the only area hospital, as of Wednesday afternoon, to officially limit public visitation because of the flu.

Others, such as Forum Health’s Northside Medical Center in Youngstown, routinely urge people with colds, sore throats or contagious diseases to not visit patients, spokeswoman Trish Hreno said.

At Sharon (Pa.) Regional Health System, “We are definitely seeing a significant increase in flu activity here,” said Ed Newmeyer, director of marketing and community relations. “At this time, we have no plans to curtail visiting hours. But, we will continue to closely monitor flu activity and are prepared to take additional precautions should they become necessary.”

UPMC Horizon in Farrell and Greenville, Pa., reported that as of Wednesday it had five inpatient flu cases and has had multiple positive flu diagnoses coming through its emergency departments.

“As for special precautions, staff caring for flu patients wear masks to avoid contracting the flu virus. For visitors, we have hand-sanitizing stations placed in several areas of the hospital as well as in every patient room, and we encourage our visitors to use them,” said Erin Palko, UPMC Horizon public relations manager.

Lyn Pethtel, infection control coordinator at Salem Community Hospital, said staff there have seen an increased number of flu and flulike illnesses that cause fever, respiratory symptoms and diarrhea. “While most people recover from these symptoms in a few days, hospitalized patients who become infected with these illnesses may develop significant complications.”

While Salem hospital has not placed any official limits on visitation, it is asking people who may have symptoms to refrain from visiting. As alternatives to in-person visits, the hospital suggests a phone call or an e-card through the hospital’s Web site (www.salemhosp.com, then click on Smile Makers).

Although there are several children with the flu in Akron Children’s Hospital unit at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Boardman, no special visitor precautions or guidelines had been instituted as of Wednesday.

As a standard practice, however, the hospital tries to limit the number of patients in the emergency department and other lobbies — especially during flu and RSV season. RSV is respiratory syncytial virus, a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. The hospital also will use isolation precautions when needed, said hospital spokeswoman Karen Gaines.

Northside Hospital has had about two flu cases per day.

“There are regional variations when it comes to the flu. Just because the Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas are seeing a high level of cases, doesn’t necessarily mean the Youngstown area will be affected,” said Dr. John S. Venglarcik III, Forum Health epidemiologist.

Forum has a set of “triggers” that, should the hospital experience a high influx or risk of influx of infectious patients, result in notifying infection control, implementation of hospital codes, curtailing visitors, evaluating patients, depending on the circumstances.

The triggers are:

UAn unusual increase in the number of people seeking care, especially with fever, respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints.

UAny patient with an unusual disease or symptoms of an unusual disease, such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) or Avian influenza, in the emergency department, or identified in the community by the Department of Health.

ULarge numbers of rapidly fatal cases.