Hospital visitation policies

jen5-03 · October 2009

I've been seeing on the 3rd Tri board that a lot of hospitals are changing their visitation policies due to H1N1 - in some cases allowing no one under 18 in the hospital unless they are a patient, and allowing only DH in L&D.

I googled to see if anything has changed at Houston hospitals, so far I'm only seeing St Lukes has an age restriction, the others are just turning away sick people (and who goes to visit someone in the hospital when they are sick? Like your loved one needed more germs? Come on people!) But really, not being able to see DD for days on end and her not being there to meet the baby would be really heartbreaking.

https://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/health&id=7048179

"Ben Taub Hospital and Methodist Hospital say they have no restrictions on visitors at this time, but they are monitoring the situation.

Memorial Hermann Hospital says it's turning away sick visitors. Children's Memorial is screening visitors, but doesn't have specific restrictions in place. St. Luke's Hospital is not screening visitors, but they are limiting visitation to anyone who is sick and children under 10 are not allowed to visit. "

Has anyone heard of anything else from other hospitals? I find it very odd that we've had so many cases of swine flu and not much has changed, yet places where they have lower rates of swine flu seem to be jumping on these super restrictive policies.

lilrunner · October 2009

I just searched on their website and can't find any info on The Women's Hospital. Does anyone know anything? If not, I'll ask my OB during my Thursday appointment and post for you guys then.

AggieDee · October 2009

I thought I read that Texas Childrens was not allowing visitors under the age of 12.

ThatsMyGirl08 · October 2009

AggieDee:
I thought I read that Texas Childrens was not allowing visitors under the age of 12.

This is true. I saw it on the news yesterday morning...and they are screening every visitor to Texas Childrens (no matter how often you visit). You will be screened for Swine Flu/regular flu before you can enter the hospital. If you are showing signs of the flu, you will be turned away.

kreeper611 · October 2009

Ditto the comment about Texas Children's. I called Women's last week to ask them and the lady probaby thought I was nuts - so I'd say their policy is still a free for all.

Honestly, it would be a little sad to have to spend 3 days in the hospital and not see anyone...but I'm 100% for it if they decide to go that route. I'm already worried about flu & RSV since I'm due in December. I can control my family and friends (and hope they'd only come healthy) but I can't control the families they would be around or run into in the waiting room, etc.

LisaK2b · October 2009

This may be "outdated" (2 weeks ago), but I took DD to visit my newborn baby cousin at Women's and even called prior to ask. They didn't have any issues.

savannah11 · October 2009

ThatsMyGirl08:
AggieDee:
I thought I read that Texas Childrens was not allowing visitors under the age of 12.
This is true. I saw it on the news yesterday morning...and they are screening every visitor to Texas Childrens (no matter how often you visit). You will be screened for Swine Flu/regular flu before you can enter the hospital. If you are showing signs of the flu, you will be turned away.

This isn't applicable to Houston but they have our children's hospital on lockdown. When Calla was in the hospital last month the only people allowed out of the lobby were parents. I didn't get to see Orion for two days. It was very sad, but I understand the caution.

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