Barnes Children's Hospital has added more stringent requirements to the Flu prevention procedures... I am thrilled. In fact as far as I am concerned I would love it if the hospital was placed on lockdown... but so far they are ignoring my letters.
News ReleasesChildren's Hospital Expands Safety Measures to Protect Patients and Staff During Busy Flu Season
10/16/2009
Influenza cases are increasing in our community, and 75% of influenza-like illness is occurring in people less than 18 years old in the St. Louis area.
St. Louis Children's Hospital is implementing additional safety measures to protect patients and staff from contagious illnesses.
As a temporary measure and until further notice, only visitors 18 years and older will be allowed in the following areas:
All inpatient floors (5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
Dialysis Unit - 2nd floor
Same Day Surgery - 6th floor
Ambulatory Procedure Center (APC) - 1st floor
Pediatric Acute Wound Service (PAWS) - 10th floor
We are asking staff who provide direct patient care throughout the hospital - or who work within 6 feet of patients for 10 minutes or more - to wear masks. Influenza is spread by droplets, typically within 6 feet and after prolonged contact with an infected person. The virus is not usually spread at a distance or during short interactions.
If you have a child or a loved one who is currently an in-patient, please do not visit if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms - including a fever (greater than 100F) along with cough, muscle aches, headache, sore throat or runny nose; please encourage potential visitors to stay home if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms; and consider limiting the number of family or loved ones who visit your child. The risk of spreading the virus increases with more visitors from outside.
Your child may need to share a room with another child who has a similar illness. Sometimes this means relocating to another room to make the environment as safe as possible. This may also mean admitting your child to a different unit than usual.
As a precaution, children with certain respiratory illnesses that can spread to others will need to be isolated. If your child is sharing a room with another patient also on isolation, everything possible will be done to ensure a safe environment to help decrease the risk of spreading respiratory viruses.
We appreciate your understanding and patience with these measures. As always, our guiding principle is to provide the best possible care to our patients and families in a safe and caring environment.
Sincerely,
Lee Fetter, President, St. Louis Children's Hospital
F. Sessions Cole, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, St. Louis Children's Hospital
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Darrick,
ReplyDeleteI tried to leave a comment the other day, but it did not work. I am praying for you, Amanda, Bayta and the rest of your family. As we celebrate our Katherine's first birthday on Monday, I will take time to pray for you all and the drs. as you all meet Bayta. I am glad we serve a powerful God to sustain you through this time of waiting and unknown.
Praying for God's Healing and provisions for your family,
Kristen (Tuckness) Gammon
Darick/Amanda
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad they are doing this during this time. Blair had her flu shot, but Baylee has not had the flumist yet. Which is a good thing because that means she hasn't been to the Dr. recently. I will have both of my girls on Monday by MYSELF because my husband is being like.... UGGGGG... So, I might be able to visit and not get to see sweet Bayta :( We will play it by ear.
When are you all heading up to St. Louis? Are you heading up tomorrow? If so, we should have dinner tomorrow night!!!!!