Local hospitals are taking steps to protect patients during flu season

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - If you plan on visiting a patient at any Franciscan St. Elizabeth hospital there are a few restrictions you need to know.

No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to visit patients unless they are a parent. Only healthy adults who are immediate family will be allowed to visit.

President of Medical Affairs for Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health Dr. Donald Edelen said it's all in an effort to protect their patients.
    
"We realize the patients that do come to us for treatment are vulnerable," Edelen said. "They do have illnesses and I think it's part of our responsibility to them and reduce the risk of them developing a flu-like illness from contamination from the outside or from others."

Edelen said the restrictions were put in place after a high number of people were testing positive for the flu virus in the community.

As for IU Health Arnett health care providers, they said there are not visitor restrictions in place right now, but they are taking steps to keep their patients healthy.

"We have signage and education urging people who may have influenza to avoid visiting other people if they're sick and seeking treatment to wear a mask when they come in if they need to be seen," Infectious Disease Dr. Thomas Meyer said.

IU Health Arnett officials are asking anyone with respiratory illness or flu-like symptoms to stay at home, but if you do need to visit the hospital they encourage putting on a mask and washing your hands.

"Use common sense," Meyer said. "If there's a chance that you can infect someone else, if there's a chance you have the flu take it upon yourself to try and avoid exposing other people."

While you may want to visit a loved one Dr. Edelen said the well-being of patients is top priority.

"It's difficult for us to do because people want to see their friends, but it is our responsibility to make sure the patients are safe and I think it's what we have to do," Edelen said.

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health officials said hospital visitor restrictions will be in place at least for the next several days.

IU Health Arnett officials said they are taking it day by day and if stricter regulations need to be put in place, that's something they will do to protect their patients.