The H1N1 virus, or the swine flu, is big news lately. Everyone is talking about it and no one wants to catch it. That's why Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital has changed its visitation rules. The biggest change is that no one under 18 will be allowed to visit patients.
"The influenza that's around right now is affecting children 18 and younger, more than people older than that. So what we're trying to do is cut down on the people that are getting it the most from bringing it into our hospital to our patients and our staff," said Diane Bennett, an infection control nurse at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The number of visitors has also been limited to two people at a time, and all visitors must wash their hands before entering and leaving patient rooms. For some, these rules make sense.
"If someone has the flu or just getting it or something, then they won't spread it out to everybody else," said Hayward Wright, a Lewis County resident.
"I think that anything that can reduce the number of germs and help our family members and you know, people coming in being sick, I think it's going to help," said Ann Marie Chidester, a Virginia resident visiting her grandfather in the hospital.
"There are also new visitation rules in the birthing unit. Only significant others and grandparents of the baby will be allowed to visit the newborn. Siblings and other relatives will have to wait until the baby is brought home.
"We understand that having a child is a really special time. But right now, at this time, our patients and our mothers and babies are our top priority," said Bennett.
Bennett said in addition to the new visitation rules, the hospital has placed swine flu masks, tissues and hand sanitizers in a variety of locations to help stop the spread of the swine flu and other illnesses.
She said anyone coming to the emergency department with flu-like symptoms will be asked to wear a mask, or disposable respirator, which is a rule UHC is also following.
"The influenza that's around right now is affecting children 18 and younger, more than people older than that. So what we're trying to do is cut down on the people that are getting it the most from bringing it into our hospital to our patients and our staff," said Diane Bennett, an infection control nurse at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The number of visitors has also been limited to two people at a time, and all visitors must wash their hands before entering and leaving patient rooms. For some, these rules make sense.
"If someone has the flu or just getting it or something, then they won't spread it out to everybody else," said Hayward Wright, a Lewis County resident.
"I think that anything that can reduce the number of germs and help our family members and you know, people coming in being sick, I think it's going to help," said Ann Marie Chidester, a Virginia resident visiting her grandfather in the hospital.
"There are also new visitation rules in the birthing unit. Only significant others and grandparents of the baby will be allowed to visit the newborn. Siblings and other relatives will have to wait until the baby is brought home.
"We understand that having a child is a really special time. But right now, at this time, our patients and our mothers and babies are our top priority," said Bennett.
Bennett said in addition to the new visitation rules, the hospital has placed swine flu masks, tissues and hand sanitizers in a variety of locations to help stop the spread of the swine flu and other illnesses.
She said anyone coming to the emergency department with flu-like symptoms will be asked to wear a mask, or disposable respirator, which is a rule UHC is also following.
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