Hospitals need to prevent people who might be sick with the flu virus from infecting vulnerable hospital patients. For this reason, officials may decide to restrict entry to certain areas of the hospital. Individual hospital policies are based on many factors, and different policies may apply to different areas of each hospital. Policies may change depending on how the hospital or the community is being affected by the flu virus.

Many hospitals will post signs or play videos asking people with flu-like symptoms to delay their visit until they are no longer ill. Hospitals might decide to have staff interview visitors to determine if they might be suffering from flu symptoms.

Hospital areas that deal with pregnant women, infants and children will probably have the most restrictions on visitors, as will areas treating people with weakened immune systems, such as intensive care, chemotherapy areas, and burn and transplant units.

Specific emphases for visitor restriction policies are children age 12 and under, and in some cases children age 18 and under, because children are more likely to spread the flu virus. Hospitals may make exceptions but are likely to have screening procedures in such situations.

Hospitals should make sure their policies are clearly posted and understandable for people with disabilities or limited English language skills. If you have questions about a specific hospital’s visitor policy, contact the hospital directly.

Hospitals with questions about creating a visitor screening policy should contact the Oregon Public Health Division’s Acute and Communicable Disease Program at 971-673-1111.

For more information on flu, call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline: 800-978-3040.