Media Center

November 18, 2009

Hudson Valley Hospital Center Adds Extra Precautions to Help Protect Patients from the Flu

Cortlandt Manor, NY… In an effort to protect patients from exposure to seasonal and H1N1 flu, Hudson Valley Hospital Center announced new visitation guidelines today.  The restrictions are based on recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State Department of Health and are similar to policies in place at other Hospitals across the state.  The new changes to the visitor policy include:

• No visitors under the age of 12 will be allowed into the Hospital unless they are receiving medical care
• Limit to 2 visitors per patient at any one time
• Visitors with fevers, cough or flu-like symptoms are urged to stay home

 Additionally, signs throughout the Hospital encourage visitors to cover coughs and sneeze into a tissue or sleeve.  Visitors are also reminded to wash hands or use sanitizer before and after visiting the Hospital.   Hand sanitizers are available in all areas of the Hospital for visitors to use.

“Hudson Valley Hospital Center recognizes the benefits of having loved ones around patients during the recovery process” said Kathy Webster, Vice President, Patient Services.  “We carefully considered the impact of the new visitor restrictions. However, given the pandemic nature of this flu, it is prudent that we follow the latest federal and state recommendations to take extra steps to keep our patients safe.”

The visitation restrictions will be in place until further notice.  For more information on how to protect yourself and your family from the flu, log onto www.hvhc.org and click on the “Know What to Do about the Flu” link.