OhioHealth Tightens Visitation Policy

By: Donna Willis | NBC4i.com
Published: October 22, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio – OhioHealth announced that it will tighten up its visitation policy at all of its health-care locations.

This step is being taken as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of spreading the H1N1 flu virus and will primarily affect children younger than 16 and vendor representatives.

“Our goal is to take every precaution we can to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus among our patients, their families and our staff,” said Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, Chief Medical Officer at OhioHealth. “We want to do that in a way that is protective of our patients while being sensitive to their emotional needs as well.”

Young Visitors
Effective immediately, visitors younger than the age of 16 will generally not be permitted in any areas in OhioHealth hospitals and OhioHealth neighborhood care facilities. Only in extreme situations will there be any exceptions made to this policy.

Vendors
As of December 1, vendor representatives doing business at OhioHealth facilities will be required to have a seasonal flu shot.

Associates (employees)
As has already been announced, All OhioHealth associates are expected to get the seasonal and H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available. If an associate declines the shots due to religious, medical or other reasons, they will be required to complete further education about the disease and healthcare risks and they will be required to wear a surgical mask while in clinical areas.

OhioHealth facilities affected in Central Ohio include:
- Riverside Methodist Hospital
- Grant Medical Center
- Doctors Hospital
- Dublin Methodist Hospital
- Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware County.
- OhioHealth NeighborHood Care Facilities