Children May Now Visit Patients at El Camino Hospital
In November 2009 a temporary visiting restriction policy was implemented in response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak. Since that time, children under the age of 16 have been restricted from visiting hospitalized patients at El Camino Hospital. Even though this policy was necessary for the protection of vulnerable hospitalized patients, we know it has been very disappointing for our recently delivered moms and their children.
In the past few months the number of H1N1 infections has decreased substantially. According to the CDC the current influenza activity is relatively low throughout the country. Furthermore, most children in our area have been vaccinated for H1N1 influenza. El Camino Hospital has decided to remove the temporary visiting restrictions effective February 26, 2010.
We at WPMG still want to stress the importance of hand-washing precautions, especially around newborns or anyone who may be immune suppressed. We still strongly recommend that any potential hospital visitor, including children of patients, should be in good health and free of cold or flu symptoms (e.g. sore throat, cough, fever, runny nose.) We still encourage H1N1 vaccinations, especially for anyone in high risk groups or in close contact to anyone in a high risk group.