Kids can’t visit patients at SC Prisma hospitals due to flu
Starting this week, one of the largest health care groups in South Carolina will restrict children from visiting its hospitals.
On Dec. 26, Prisma Health announced that it won’t allow anyone 15 and younger to visit patients in its hospitals because of increased rates of the flu.
The temporary visitor restriction will go into effect on Tuesday, Prisma Health officials said in a news release.
The decision was made to protect patients, doctors, nurses and other staff members “during this time of higher-than-normal flu infection rates,” officials said. It’s believed that the measure will also protect vulnerable patients from infection by measles, which is still surging in the Upstate, according to the release.
“By taking this proactive step, we can help ensure our hospitals remain safe places for our patients to receive high-quality care,” Jacie Volkman, executive director of Prisma’s Department of Infection Prevention, said in the release. “Exceptions may be allowed for circumstances such as the imminent death of a loved one.”
More suggestions to prevent and protect against the flu, and other respiratory viruses, include frequent handwashing, and staying home or away from others while sick, according to the South Carolina Department of Health.
Any visitors who feel sick should not visit hospitals. Additionally, it’s recommended that all visitors wear masks to help avoid the spread of respiratory illnesses, officials said.
Flu season
Seasonal flu activity is increasing in most areas of the country, including South Carolina and Tennessee, where Prisma has hospital locations, according to the release. Nationwide, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 deaths from flu so far this season.
The current flu season started Sept. 28, according to the South Carolina Department of Health.
Symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, cough, headache or muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat and nasal congestion or stuffiness, the S.C. Department of Public Health said.
There have been seven flu-related deaths this season in South Carolina, according to the state Department of Public Health. The Palmetto State has reported more than 6,100 cases of the flu, and has exceeded 700 hospitalizations, S.C. Department of Public Health data shows.
Prevention
Both the CDC and S.C. Department of Public Health recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated.
Vaccination to prevent flu is particularly important for people who are at increased risk of complications from flu, including young children, adults aged 50 years and older, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions, Prisma officials said.
Flu vaccines offered at Department of Public Health clinics are available by appointment. To make an appointment, call 855-472-3432, or go to the Department of Public Health website to find the nearest location.
“We look forward to returning to our normal visitation guidelines once the illness levels of our communities subside,” Volkman said.
Prisma has 18 hospitals in South Carolina, including seven in Columbia and the Midlands. Prisma said it serves more than 1.6 million patients per year in South Carolina and Tennessee.
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Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999.
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