Allina Limits Visitation to Hospital Birth Centers, Pediatrics Units Due to H1N1

[Allina Newsroom, October 17, 2009] Allina Hospitals & Clinics has placed limits on visitation to its hospital birth centers and pediatrics units due the H1N1 virus. Effective immediately, these new limitations have been placed on visitation to Allina hospital birth centers and pediatrics units:

• Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Visitors must sign in and be screened for influenza-like illness
• Sibling visitors must be age 5 or older
• Non-sibling visitors must be age 16 or older
• Maximum of three visitors per patient at a time

Visitors must follow strict hand-hygiene procedures by washing hands or using the antibacterial foam provide throughout Allina hospitals. The health and safety of patients and employees is our top priority. The new visitor policy is designed to protect new mothers, pediatric patients and newborn babies from exposure to the H1N1 virus. According the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health, these are among those most vulnerable to the H1N1 flu. The new policy affects Allina’s 10 general care hospitals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis; United Hospital, St. Paul; Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids; Unity Hospital, Fridley; St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee; Cambridge Medical Center; Buffalo Hospital; Owatonna Hospital; New Ulm Medical Center; and River Falls (Wisc.) Area Hospital.