Flu Facts & Resources
BIDMC Visiting Restrictions as of Jan. 14, 2013
BIDMC has instituted new patient and visitor guidelines and restrictions to help protect the medical center’s most vulnerable patients – and everyone – now that the flu has become widespread.
Visitors who have the flu when then visit may infect their loved one and make them sicker, so...
- BIDMC is restricting any visitors to the medical center who have flu or flu-like symptoms. Most areas are actively screening visitors.
- Patients and families should try to limit non-essential visitors to the medical center. If there are any patients or visitors with special circumstances, please let your nurse or other care-giver know.
- Areas of the hospital that care for patients most vulnerable to the flu have instituted the most stringent visitor guidelines. For example, in many areas, children under 12 are no longer allowed to visit. These units include: Ambulatory Cancer Clinic, Ambulatory Obstetrics Clinic, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Solid Organ Transplant Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Obstetrics Unit and Intensive Care Units.
- Please note that ambulatory patients who must come to the medical center for a visit and who have flu symptoms are being asked to wear a mask.
If you have specific questions related to you or a family member, please call your primary care physician or any other appropriate doctor.
We recognize the comfort visitors bring to our patients, but in the interest of containing community-wide illness and protecting our patients we feel this is an important measure. We appreciate your support in helping us create a protected environment at BIDMC.
Seasonal Flu
Seasonal flu is a serious illness, putting 200,000 people in the hospital and killing another 36,000 each year. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated for flu. The only exceptions are people with a severe allergy to eggs or to a vaccine component. Washing your hands often, and coughing and sneezing into a tissue or into the inside your elbow, will also help keep you and others healthy.
Be a Flu Fighter
» How to Prepare Before You Get Sick
» How to Take Care of Someone with the Flu
» When You Should Call a Doctor
Five Ways to Fight the Flu
1. Know the symptoms.
2. Get vaccinated.
3. Wash your hands.
4. Cover your cough and sneeze.
5. Stay home if you have symptoms of the flu.
Resources
» Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
» Mass Department of Public Health
» Boston Public Health Commission