Lifespan Hospitals/facilities set new FLU RULES

Effective immediately, to ensure the safety of our patients, employees and visitors during this flu season, Lifespan hospitals are enhancing the precautions taken for patients and visitors:

• At all first points of entry at the hospitals and outpatient facilities patients and visitors will find displays with hygiene reminders and hand sanitizer.  Most displays also have masks only to be used by those individuals with respiratory symptoms.  However, masks have been removed from some displays at hospital entrances to minimize misuse.
• Visitors will be screened for illness before visiting patients throughout the hospitals. Anyone with respiratory symptoms, cough, cold, fever or flu-like symptoms will now be strongly advised to go home, rather than to take a mask. 
• Patients with respiratory symptoms who are coming to the emergency department or an outpatient setting for care will be screened and given a mask.
• Children age 12 and under, even siblings, cannot visit Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Children are discouraged from visiting patients in all locations to prevent spreading of respiratory viruses circulating in schools to patients.

Simple precautions are the first line of defense against flu and other respiratory viruses. Lifespan urges the public to please continue to follow the usual guidelines:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you’re unable to wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched frequently (e.g., phones, doorknobs). 
• Stay home if you are sick.

HOSPITALS include:

• Bradley Hospital
• Hasbro Children’s Hospital  
• Newport Hospital
• Rhode Island Hospital
• The Miriam Hospital

There are many facilities – As Lifespan continues to monitor the situation, additional visitor restrictions may be required. Please see our website at Lifespan.org for the latest information on visitor restrictions.