Backus removes visitor restrictions
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NORWICH — Because of a decrease in flu cases, The William W. Backus Hospital Tuesday lifted its visitor restrictions that were enacted during the height of the flu outbreak.
“ We’ve definitely seen a decrease in the number of flu cases,” said Dr. Gordon Van Nes, Medical Director at Backus. “And while we have lifted the visitor restrictions, we are still encouraging respiratory etiquette, because it is still early in the winter and sometimes these outbreaks can have a second spike later in the season. We’re not out of this yet.”
Backus Hospital implemented visitor restrictions in December because of an especially virulent flu outbreak, which arrived earlier than usual and affected more children than usual. Backus responded by asking people 16 and younger not to visit patients in the hospital and restricting access to the birthing center to only mothers, fathers, birthing coaches and grandparents.
Van Nes said that common sense precautions should be taken year round to prevent the spread of germs that cause the cold, flu and other illnesses. These precautions are the subject of an upcoming Backus community education event, Feb. 4 from 4-5 p.m. in the Hospital auditorium. School nurses, daycare providers, preschool educators, people who work in Sunday school or other religious programs and parents are encouraged to attend the free event, which will focus on proper handwashing, proper disposal of tissues and covering your cough.
Speakers will be Robin Heard, a nurse epidemiologist at Backus, and Dr. Timothy Sullivan, a pediatrician on the Backus Medical Staff. To make the program fun as well as informative, participants will be able to take away entertaining yet educational posters on proper respiratory etiquette, brochures that can be distributed to parents, and a kit containing a surgical mask, facial tissues and a water-free germicidal hand-washing solution. Space is limited, so call the Backus Community Health and Nursing Education Department at 823-6313 to reserve a seat.