J.C. Blair Restricts Visitation Due to Influenza

The administration and staff at J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital in Huntingdon is asking the community to restrict visitation to the Hospital, due to the number of people with influenza and the contagious nature of the flu. The hospital is modifying its visitation policy temporarily to protect patients, staff and the community.

Effective immediately, restrictions include:

- No one age 16 or under may visit patients in the hospital.
- Only patient’s immediate family or caregiver is permitted to visit.
- If the family member they are visiting is in the hospital due to flu symptoms, they must wear a mask when in the room.
- All visitors are asked to stop at the nursing station before entering a patient’s room.
- Only two visitors at a time are permitted at a patient’s bedside.
- Only parents and grandparents are permitted in the Maternity Unit and must wear a mask.
- Anyone feeling ill is asked not to visit a hospital patient, especially if they have symptoms of a cold or flu.
- Anyone with cold or flu symptoms coming to the Hospital for services must wear a mask.

“Exceptions can be made by the Nursing Supervisor for critical cases and the Hospital staff will work with families in those situations,” said Joye Gingrich, Director of Nursing at J.C. Blair. “These restrictions are temporary but will be in effect until further notice and when the situation changes.”

J.C. Blair’s Infection Control Specialist Shelly Brown encourages people to follow precautions everyone should take during flu season which includes:

- covering your cough and sneezes with your sleeve or a clean tissue and throwing out the tissue after each use,
- washing your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth,
- trying to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, running nose, sore throat and cough, and rarely nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

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