Mercy Enforces Level 3 Visitation Restrictions

Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa will initiate Level 3 Visitation Restriction on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 due to increased influenza activity in the community.  
For the protection of our patients and to prevent the further spread of influenza, the hospital has initiated the following restrictions:
· Anyone with respiratory or influenza-like symptoms and anyone 18 years of age or less is asked not to enter the hospital or visit patients unless they are seeking care.
· Birth Center visitation is limited to significant other
· Pediatric department visitation is limited to parents or guardians
· Adult patients may designate two adults who are allowed to visit during their hospitalization
· Emergency department patients are limited to one adult visitor while seeking care
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.
Per its policy, Mercy – North Iowa instates a Level 3 Visitation when two or more surveillance criteria are met for four consecutive days. Mercy – North Iowa may initiate stricter visitation guidelines as influenza increases in the community.
“Influenza activity is widespread across the United States.  The circulating strain this year tends to be more severe.  Instating stricter visitation in the hospital decreases the opportunity for the spread of influenza to patients who are more vulnerable to the disease,” Kim Overbeck, Infection Prevention Nurse, Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.