Hospitals continually reviewing prevention strategies

A number of metropolitan-based hospital systems announced today they are adopting consistent patient visitation policies.

The policies, initially created by Allina Hospitals and Clinics, are meant to provide guidance to hospital staff members and the public regarding patient visitation during the H1N1 pandemic and other widespread infectious diseases.

Allina, Fairview Health Services, Hennepin County Medical Center, HealthEast Care System, Regions Hospital and North Memorial Medical Center held a news conference about the issue today at Allina's headquarters in Minneapolis.

For example, the policies say that no children younger than five may visit, and that no non-family visitors may visit patients with influenza-like illness.

To review the policy and poster, click for the PDFs: policy; poster.