Effective Friday, January 12 at 7:00 a.m. High Point Medical Center is restricting visitors who are under the age of 12 to prevent the spread of the flu.
“This decision is based on recommendations from the hospital's infection control committee to be proactively combat the spread of influenza among patients,” said Dale Williams, MD and chief medical officer at High Point Medical Center. “Our decision is similar to other hospitals across the nation to restrict children from visiting the hospital while flu is prevalent in our community.”
Accordingly, those who are under age 12 will not be permitted to visit patients. The restrictions apply to lobbies, waiting areas and patient rooms. The policy does not apply to children who need emergency care or hospitalization.
This restriction is in addition to safety measures already in place requiring all individuals entering the hospital to sanitize their hands.
High Point Medical Center recognizes this policy may cause some disruption to families; however, the hospital’s first priority is ensuring the safest possible environment for patients and diminishing potential exposure to the flu.
High Point Medical Center will continue to evaluate this situation as the flu season progresses.
Media contacts:
Becky Kreitz, becky.kreitz@wakehealth.edu, 336-878-6711