Enterprise Dispatch Blog

Litchfield, MN -Due to the prevalence of influenza-like illnesses in the community, Meeker Memorial Hospital is taking steps to protect its patients, their families and staff by temporarily limiting visitation in the hospital, according to Lori Rice, coordinator of education and marketing.

These temporary restrictions on visitation include:

1. Visitors under the age of 16 will not be permitted in any part of the hospital, including the Family Birthing Center. Only children in need of medical treatment should come to the hospital.
2. Only 3 visitors will be allowed at a time.
3. Visitors hours are limited to:

* 11:00 am - 8:30 pm for medical/surgical patient

* 11: am - 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm for Family Birthing Center

* 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm daily and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday for Center for Senior Behavioral Health.

Parents/primary caregivers of children and family members involved with care decisions are welcome anytime and are not considered visitors but may be asked to wear a mask while in the hospital.

All individuals entering the hospital must complete a wellness screening prior to each visit to identify persons who may have flu-like symptoms. Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, fatigue, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea. Individuals who have any flu-like symptoms will be asked to not visit.

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that until vaccine is more widely available, it is important for people to continue to take steps to protect themselves and reduce the spread of influenza:

* Stay home from work or school - and generally avoid going out in public - if you are sick. Remain home until 24 hours after your symptoms resolve without the aid of fever-reducing medications.
* If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick.
* Limit your contact with others who may be ill.
* Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
* Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution.
* Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with other people, before eating or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
* Make sure to take enough fluids while you’re sick.
* If you develop possible flu symptoms and you want to consult your health care provider, call before going in for an office visit. You may not need to go in, and if you do need to be seen, a time should be set up when you will not risk exposing others to influenza in the waiting room.
* People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider promptly if they develop flu symptoms or have been closely exposed to people with flu symptoms to determine whether they should receive antiviral medication.
* People who develop severe symptoms or who develop new symptoms after initial improvement should seek medical care without delay.
* Get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 novel influenza as soon as vaccine becomes available for you.

* If you do have flu symptoms and want to speak with a nurse about your illness, call your health care provider or the Minnesota FluLine at 866-259-4655.

Please contact the hospital at (320) 693-3242 for any questions about these restrictions.