To protect mothers and newborns from flu viruses circulating in our region, all Samaritan Health Services hospitals will limit visitors in birthing centers, beginning Monday, Oct. 19. The restrictions will remain in place until flu season is over.
Each new mom will be allowed a total of two support people during her hospital stay, and no visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed in the birthing centers. This means two designated support people throughout the entire hospital stay, not simply two at a time. The designated support people need to be free of flu symptoms and carefully follow infection control guidelines, such as hand washing. “It is important that we do everything we can to protect new moms and infants from H1N1,” said Kathy Hale, vice president of patient care services at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. “Limiting visitors is a key way we can achieve this.”
Pregnant women and infants are among those in high risk categories for complications from H1N1 infection, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control. Limiting visitors to hospital birthing centers reduces the potential for exposure for this vulnerable population. The best defense against flu viruses, both at hospitals and in the community, is to avoid exposure through the following basic hygiene and infection control measures:
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper sleeve.
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and regularly, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. This is how germs are spread.
- Get your seasonal flu shot and, if you are in a high-risk group as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, the H1N1 vaccination.
- If you are sick, stay home.
For basic information about the flu and H1N1, visit the Oregon Department of Human Services’ flu Web site at
www.flu.oregon.gov.