For Immediate Release September 17, 2014
Visitor Restrictions in Place for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Maternity Unit, Nursery, Special Care Nursery and Pediatric Unit and St. Elizabeth Medical Center’s Pediatric Unit
(Visitors Must Be Adults 18 Years or Older)
Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) is restricting visitors to the Maternity Unit, Nursery, Special Care Nursery and Pediatrics Unit and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) is restricting visitors to the Pediatric Unit to adults 18 years of age and older to help prevent spread of the virus, Enterovirus D68. The restrictions will be in place until further notice.
The best defense against this virus is proper hand-washing and covering coughs. The virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
You can help protect yourself and your children from respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick
• Stay out of crowds, and home from work or school, if you feel ill.
Most children infected with this virus will appear to have a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and cough, which will resolve with rest and symptom management. There are no antiviral medications available to treat the virus. Some children, especially those with asthma and other health problems, are at higher risk for severe disease and complications and may need to be hospitalized.
FSLH and SEMC practice “respiratory etiquette” in our Emergency Departments, Urgent Care Centers, Adirondack Community Physicians medical offices and St. Elizabeth Medical Group primary care offices. In each waiting area there are masks for patients to wear to cover their cough, tissues and hand sanitizer for good hand hygiene. If you are coming to seek treatment and have respiratory problems, you will be asked to wear a mask and may be isolated from other patients.
###
Erin Gigliotti
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations / Media Specialist
(315) 624-5581
egigliot@mvnhealth.com