Mercy–North Iowa reduces visitation restrictions

Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa has reduced current visitor restrictions to Level 2, due to a decrease in flu activity. For the protection of patients and to prevent the further spread of influenza, decreased hospital visitation restrictions began at 7 a.m., Friday, March 9.  Current visitation restrictions include the following:
Visitors that meet the following are not permitted to visit patients:
• Those that have respiratory or influenza-like symptoms.
• Individuals age 18 years of age or less.
Visitation is also limited as follows:
• Birth Center visitation is limited to significant other or spouse and grandparents.
• Pediatric department visitation is limited to parents or guardians and grandparents.
• Visitation of patients in isolation is limited to significant other or spouse, and parents or guardians plus two visitors.
Mercy–North Iowa realizes there may be circumstances that need special consideration; in those cases families should call the nurse in charge on the unit they wish to visit prior to arriving at the hospital.  
Mercy–North Iowa instates a Level 2 Visitation when two or more of the following surveillance criteria are met for four consecutive days:
• Cerro Gordo County school absenteeism greater than 10 percent the previous week.
• Emergency Department influx greater than 150 percent of average for third quarter of previous year.
• Influenza like symptoms 10-14 percent of total Emergency Department visits.
• Influenza Like Symptoms 10-14 percent of total Urgent Care visits.