By Martin Kinnunen
To protect patients and the physicians and associates who take care of them,
UPMC is asking all children, friends, and family with
flu-like symptoms to
refrain from
visiting UPMC hospitals this flu season.
|
Holly Lorenz, R.N., M.S.N. |
“Flu season has hit earlier and harder, and now is in
full swing,” says Holly Lorenz, R.N., M.S.N., UPMC’s chief nurse executive. “This voluntary
step helps protect the health of patients already in our hospitals and our
physicians and associates, who need to remain healthy to care for them.”
Asking family members and close friends who have
flu-like symptoms not to visit a hospitalized loved one is difficult.
“These guidelines will
help UPMC keep your loved one safe and provide them with the best care
possible,” says Lorenz. “We realize you would prefer to be with your loved one during their stay and we apologize if this is inconvenient for you.”
If it is essential for a visitor with flu-like symptoms
to enter a patient care area, the visitor should be given a mask to wear while
in all hospital areas.