MHP to Limit Visitors

Beginning immediately, Mahaska Health Partnership will limit the number and age of visitors to specific areas of the hospital.

“We recognize the healing power of having friends and family close by,” said MHP CEO Jay Christensen. “However, with the current situation regarding the H1N1 virus and the prolonged flu season to come, we feel it is prudent that we take steps now to protect our patients.”

The precautions include limiting the number and age of visitors allowed in a patient’s room on the Inpatient Unit as well as the Birthing Center. “The number of visitors in a patient’s room will be limited to two adults, over the age of 18, at a time. The only exception will be siblings of newborns, who should only visit if they are healthy and have been fever free for at least 24 hours without medication,” Christensen explained.

In addition, signs are posted at all facility entrances and infection control kiosks have been installed. The signs ask visitors to wear a mask if they are ill, to use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the facility as well as patient rooms and to cover their cough with a tissue or their sleeve.

“We feel taking these steps will aid in protecting those populations most vulnerable to the flu, which include the elderly for seasonal flu and the very young for H1N1,” Christensen said. “As the flu season progresses, we will evaluate our policy accordingly.

“Our first priority is always the health and well-being of our patients. However, we recognize the large role a patient’s friends and family have in their recovery. We still welcome visitors for all patients, we just ask each individual to take precautions and to stay away if they are ill.”

For the comfort of visitors, MHP has many areas available where visitors can wait their turn to see a patient. “Just outside the Birthing Center there is a large waiting area with leather furniture, a dining table and a television,” Christensen explained. “On our Inpatient Unit, we have a similar area and we also offer free wireless internet in each of these locations so that visitors can use their personal electronic devices.”

If you have questions about whether or not you should visit a patient, please contact the Birthing Center at 641-672-3170 or Inpatient at 641-672-3242. “As always, MHP is a family-friendly healthcare organization where we encourage a patient’s loved ones to spend as much time as they can,” Christensen said. “We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as we all do our best to stay healthy during this flu pandemic.”