H1N1 virus and hospital restrictions

Numerous studies have come out recently highlighting the dangers of the swine flu and its relentless attack on children. That's why some local hospitals are changing the rules on visitors to the Intensive Care Units: no kids allowed.

Genevieve Bedard-Plumb has been by her son's side in the ICU for 47 days. She says, "I usually get here at 7:00 in the morning" Her son's car went out of control, hitting a tree. He has undergone numerous surgeries leaving him prone to infection. So, the news of restricted visiting hours, hard for this mother, but she gets it, "I totally understand why they are doing it. My son really doesn't need any other problems than what he has already." Starting Monday, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center reduced visiting hours to anyone going to their four intensive care units, and they are not allowing children to visit the ICU's at all. The reason: the H1N1 virus. Dr. Andre Creese says, "We recognize by changing visiting hours, we can reduce expose to both out patients, visitors, and staff." This weekend, an Okeechobee County woman died at the hospital. She's being labeled as a suspected case of H1N1, pending lab results. That coupled with the germs everyone carries made the hospital's decision clear. Dr. Creese says, "If there is a way to mitigate exposure and transmission of the disease, we want to be proactive and take that initiative." As for Genevieve, she will still be in the waiting room, waiting to see her son. Lawnwood officials say if an ICU patient has a concern about the new rules, specifically if they need to see a child or family member, hospital staff will work with them on a case by case basis. We checked with other hospitals in the area. St. Lucie Medical Center has made similar changes. Martin Memorial and Indian River Medical Center right now are not restricting children, but still asking anyone with flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting any patients.

Lawnwood Regional Medical Center new visiting hours: No children under 16 years will be allowed to visit patients until further notice. Visiting hours for all others: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.