Due to increased rates of community influenza and other respiratory illnesses, Prisma Health will restrict anyone age 15 and younger from visiting hospitalized patients in its hospitals as of Tuesday, Dec. 30.The temporary visitor restriction is needed to help protect patients and team members during this time of higher-than-normal flu infection rates. The measure will also help protect vulnerable patients from infection by measles, which is still surging in the Upstate.“By taking this proactive step, we can help ensure our hospitals remain safe places for our patients to receive high-quality care,” said Jacie Volkman, executive director of Prisma’s Department of Infection Prevention. Exceptions may be allowed for circumstances such as the imminent death of a loved one, she added.“Prisma Health believes in a patient-centered approach to healthcare and realizes the essential role visitors play in a patient’s recovery. We look forward to returning to our normal visitation guidelines once the illness levels of our communities subside,” Volkman said. Prisma usually adjusts its visitation guidance during winter’s higher flu rates. Visitors who feel sick should not visit their hospitalized loved ones. It’s recommended that all visitors wear masks to help avoid the spread of respiratory illnesses. Seasonal flu activity is increasing in most areas of the country, including South Carolina and Tennessee. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there have been at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 deaths from flu so far this season. Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at increased risk of complications from flu, including young children, adults aged 50 years and older, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions.The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu. For more information on flu, visit the S.C. Department of Public Health’s flu resource site or Flu in Tennessee.Because South Carolina continues to experience a measles outbreak, Prisma officials ask that patients at its S.C. hospital emergency departments mask until they can be evaluated by a nurse. For more information about the measles outbreak in South Carolina, visit the S.C. Department of Public Health.Quick diagnosis and medical care – whether through in-person or virtual visits – may reduce the length and severity of illness as well as reduce the risk of exposure for other people. For more information about Prisma’s urgent care network, open every day 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; visit www.prismahealthurgentcare.org.
GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Due to increased rates of community influenza and other respiratory illnesses, Prisma Health will restrict anyone age 15 and younger from visiting hospitalized patients in its hospitals as of Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The temporary visitor restriction is needed to help protect patients and team members during this time of higher-than-normal flu infection rates. The measure will also help protect vulnerable patients from infection by measles, which is still surging in the Upstate.
“By taking this proactive step, we can help ensure our hospitals remain safe places for our patients to receive high-quality care,” said Jacie Volkman, executive director of Prisma’s Department of Infection Prevention. Exceptions may be allowed for circumstances such as the imminent death of a loved one, she added.
“Prisma Health believes in a patient-centered approach to healthcare and realizes the essential role visitors play in a patient’s recovery. We look forward to returning to our normal visitation guidelines once the illness levels of our communities subside,” Volkman said. Prisma usually adjusts its visitation guidance during winter’s higher flu rates.
Visitors who feel sick should not visit their hospitalized loved ones. It’s recommended that all visitors wear masks to help avoid the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Seasonal flu activity is increasing in most areas of the country, including South Carolina and Tennessee. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that there have been at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 deaths from flu so far this season.
Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at increased risk of complications from flu, including young children, adults aged 50 years and older, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu. For more information on flu, visit the S.C. Department of Public Health’s flu resource site or Flu in Tennessee.
Because South Carolina continues to experience a measles outbreak, Prisma officials ask that patients at its S.C. hospital emergency departments mask until they can be evaluated by a nurse. For more information about the measles outbreak in South Carolina, visit the S.C. Department of Public Health.
Quick diagnosis and medical care – whether through in-person or virtual visits – may reduce the length and severity of illness as well as reduce the risk of exposure for other people. For more information about Prisma’s urgent care network, open every day 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; visit www.prismahealthurgentcare.org.