Restrictions on Visitors during Flu Season
The spread of seasonal and H1N1 influenza in our community has prompted Inova Health System – and other healthcare providers across the country – to take special measures to protect patients, staff and visitors. Because it is difficult to determine who may be infected with influenza – people can be contagious before they start showing the symptoms of flu, which include fever and a cough – these policy restrictions apply to all visitors to our hospital inpatient units throughout the flu season.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to protect the safety of our patients, staff and visitors.
In all inpatient units
- There will be two blocks of visiting hours – one from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (see exceptions for high-risk areas, below)
- Visitors with any symptoms of influenza-like illness are not allowed.
- Visitors (including siblings) under the age of 18 are not allowed (see exceptions below).
- Only two people may visit an inpatient at a time.
- Spouses/significant others, parents or direct caregivers (son, daughter or other immediate family member responsible for care) may be exempted from limits to visiting hours, at the discretion of the Patient Care Director.
- Visitors may be required to wear masks or other protective clothing when visiting, especially in high-risk areas. Visitors who do not wear this protective clothing in accordance with instructions will be asked to leave.
In addition to these general rules, which apply to inpatient visitation throughout Inova, we have additional limitations to protect patients who are most at risk from influenza:
In all Women’s Units (including Labor and Delivery, Family-Centered Care and Post-Partum) the following restrictions apply:
Visitors to women in OB units are limited to one person, who must be either a spouse or significant other (boyfriend/girlfriend). If the patient has neither a spouse nor a significant other, a designated “support person” may visit instead. The visiting hours spelled out above do not apply to this spouse/significant other/support person. In addition, all maternity and pre-surgical tours have been cancelled during flu season.
In addition, all maternity and pre-surgical tours have been cancelled for the duration of flu season.
In Children’s Units (including NICU, PICU and Pediatrics):
Visitors to infants and children are limited to two people, who must be the parents or guardians of the infant or child patient. The visiting hours spelled out above do not apply to these visitors.
In Adult Critical Care (ICU) and Oncology Patients/Units
Visitors are limited to spouses/significant others, parents or direct caregivers (son, daughter, or other immediate family member responsible for care) only. Visiting hours are restricted to the guidelines described under “In all inpatient units,” above.
Note: There may be exceptions to this policy in certain very limited circumstances, such as situations where a patient is at the end of life. In cases where exceptions are made, it will be at the discretion of the physician and the hospital leadership.
