Public Relations / Marketing Officer

David Bruzzese
Office: 970.764.3910
Cell: 970.749.9517

For Immediate Release
Oct 21, 2009

Mercy Regional Medical Center Implements Visitor Restrictions

Hospital takes steps to reduce spread of infection during flu season

In an effort to protect patients, visitors, and staff from potential exposure to the H1N1 influenza virus, Mercy Regional Medical Center has implemented temporary visitor restrictions as of Oct. 21.

The change in visitation policy follows guidelines set forth the by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. All hospitals in Colorado have implemented some or all of the restrictions.

"We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, and staff," said Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operations Officer Nancy Hoyt. "We understand these changes to our visitation policy may be difficult for some families, but it is being done in the best interest of everyone's health, and it is temporary," she added.

The restrictions are expected to be in place as long as there is a significant number of people with flu-like illness in the community. The San Juan Basin Health Department first confirmed H1N1 cases in La Plata County in July. Because seasonal influenza has not yet been detected, it is probable that people with flu-like symptoms have the H1N1 virus. Presence of the virus in a patient must be confirmed through laboratory testing.

Visitor restrictions now in place at Mercy Regional Medical Center

  • Visitors with flu-like symptoms including a fever and cough or sore throat are not allowed in the facility
  • Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed in the facility
  • No more than 4 adult visitors may visit a patient at any given time. Certain areas may allow only two visitors at a time
As H1N1 virus continues to spread, visitation policies at Mercy may change. Anyone planning to visit the hospital should call (970) 247-4311 in advance.

Mercy Regional Medical Center is is a full-service, acute care hospital. As a not-for-profit medical hospital and member of Catholic Health Initiatives, Mercy is committed to improving the health and wellness of the communities it serves. See www.mercydurango.org for more information.

Catholic Health Initiatives is a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Denver. The faith-based system includes 77 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; and two community health-services organizations in 20 states. Catholic Health Initiatives ranks as the nation's second-largest Catholic health care system. See www.catholichealthinitiatives.org for more information.

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