CHC implements interim visitation policy for hospitals to slow the spread of H1N1 flu virus

Bend, Ore. - Cascade Healthcare Community announced the organization's interim visitation guidelines for the remainder of the flu season today.

CHC is implementing the following visitor restrictions immediately in an effort to slow the spread of H1N1 and flu like illness at CHC hospitals including St. Charles Bend, St Charles Redmond and Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville:

• No visitors 12 years old or younger are permitted to enter any CHC hospital
• Visitors will be restricted to immediate family members of the patient

Visitors to CHC hospitals will be required to check in at the front desk and identify themselves as a family member of the patient. Those under 12 years of age can only enter the hospital if they are seeking treatment.

The new visitation policy specifically focuses on children because children often transfer illness more readily than adults. According to Dr. Alan Ertle, senior vice president of medical affairs for CHC, numerous studies show children often shed a virus before they feel ill and for a longer period of time after they feel better. This means children can be contagious without showing symptoms.

"We are taking these measures in an attempt to protect patients, caregivers and visitors," Ertle said. "We are seeing an increase of influenza-like illness in schools, businesses, medical clinics and our hospitals across Central Oregon. Since only those admitted into the hospital are tested for H1N1, we can not definitively confirm that H1N1 is responsible for the illness in the community. Regardless, flu season is typically in January and February, which makes it likely that  H1N1 is the cause. "

Aside from visitor restrictions, CHC is also requiring all caregivers and visitors to use the hand sanitizer located at all CHC facility entrances. Masks are also available at the sanitation stations for those who have signs and symptoms of respiratory illness or for those who wish to wear them. CHC will also be limiting the number of open entrances at all facilities.

Patients who need to have labs drawn and need to bring children 12 years and under are asked to visit outpatient labs outside the hospitals. A list of these labs is available at www.cascadehealthcare.org/outpatientlabs.

About Cascade Healthcare Community
Cascade Healthcare Community, Inc.(CHC), headquartered in Bend, Oregon, owns and operates the St. Charles medical centers in Bend and Redmond, leases and operates Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville and provides management services for Mountain View Hospital in Madras. CHC is a private, not-for-profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 3,000 caregivers in Bend, Redmond and Prineville. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who partner with CHC to provide a wide range of care and service to our communities.

# # #