Tri-State hospitals limit visitation because of spike in local flu cases

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — It's not as bad as last year, but a recent spike in flu cases still convinced area hospitals to restrict visitation policy.

The temporary rules are in place at Deaconess Health System, The Women's Hospital, St. Vincent Evansville, St. Vincent Warrick, Methodist Hospital in Henderson and hospitals in Jasper, Princeton, Vincennes and Washington.

Restriction policy:

• No visitors with influenza-like symptoms in the hospitals. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever, chills, aches, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting or diarrhea.
• No visitors under the age of 15 years.
• No visitors other than immediate family or other significant persons as defined by the patient.

Exceptions may be made for cases involving critically ill patients, end-of-life situations and newborn visitation. Signs about the temporary rules will be posted at hospitals.

Positive flu tests at Deaconess emergency rooms and inpatient facilities have doubled over the last two weeks. Last week alone, Deaconess facilities saw 101 positive flu tests. 

"It's lower than last year, but because of that trend, we spoke with other area hospitals and felt it was in the best interest of our patients to go ahead and implement restrictions," said Dawn Rogers, patient safety and infection control officer with Deaconess.

"It's such a different season than last year," Rogers said. "This is just a precaution."

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Positive tests at local St. Vincent facilities are in the 20 to 30 percent range, "and that is in line with the data we are seeing from our region," said Dr. Heidi Dunaway, regional chief medical officer with St. Vincent.

"When we start to see it spiking, we all work together to coordinate it on flu restrictions, and basically say, 'If you’re sick, don’t go out, and don’t go to hospitals,'" Dunaway said.

St. Vincent admissions for flu have included everyone from infants to geriatric patients, Dunaway said.

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Those who are considered most at-risk for flu include infants under 6 months, older individuals, women who are pregnant or who have recently delivered and those with preexisting health conditions.

Fever, body aches and respiratory problems are primary flu symptoms. Gastrointestinal problems can be a symptom, too, especially among youngsters.

Treatment depends on the patient's circumstances and doctor preference, but the antiviral medication Tamiflu is often prescribed for various strains of flu. 

"Many people can stay at home and get through it, but if you're someone who is immuno-compromised or if the fever gets really high, you really need to be evaluated," Rogers said.

Besides getting a flu shot, health professionals said hand sanitizing and covering nose and mouth while coughing are the best ways to limit the spread.