Flu Concerns Prompt Rowan Regional Medical Center to Limit Visitaion by Those Under Age 18

Rowan Regional Medical Center announced that visitation guidelines will change effective October 1 to restrict visitors under age 18. Except in extreme circumstances, visitors under 18 will not be permitted in unless they are patients seeking medical care.
 
Dr. Stephen Wallenhaupt, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Novant Health, Rowan Regional Medical Center's parent organization, said the new policy is a proactive step to safeguard patients, staff members and adult visitors.
 
Early experience, he said, has shown that children and adolescents are more susceptible to H1N1 flu and have a higher incidence of infection than adults.  In addition, children are often contagious before they exhibit symptoms.
 
“We know this change poses an inconvenience to families with patients in area facilities,” Dr. Wallenhaupt said, “but it is important to make this change effective now to limit the spread and impact of flu.  Many patients, particularly newborns, pregnant women and patients with suppressed immune systems, are particularly vulnerable.  It is vital that we take every precaution to protect them.”
 
In addition to limiting visitation by those under 18, the hospital system is urging everyone over 18 not to visit hospitals if they have flu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, coughing, body ache or fever greater than 100 degrees.  These persons should not go out in public until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
 
Physicians advise everyone to get a seasonal flu shot as soon as possible and an H1N1 shot when they become available.  The H1N1 vaccines are currently expected to be available in October.
 
Dr. Wallenhaupt noted that many people with flu-like symptoms do not need medical treatment, and can be cared for at home using over-the-counter medications for symptomatic relief.
 
Officials at Novant said that they are providing the same guidance to all of their affiliated regional hospitals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  They said the change will remain in effect until the incidence of flu has significantly decreased, noting that it may be several months before their hospitals could safely return to normal procedures.

For more information, please call 704-210-5630.