How can healthcare facilities limit movement of visitors?
Visitors who have been in contact with the patient before and during hospitalization are a possible source of influenza for other patients, visitors, and staff. Healthcare facilities may wish to limit visitors to persons who are necessary for the patient’s emotional well-being and care. Visitors should be screened for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before entering the hospital. Visitors should be instructed to limit their movement within the facility. Before entering the patient’s room, healthcare personnel should instruct visitors on hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) according to current facility policy while in the patient’s room. Q. What should healthcare facilities do if they do not have enough private rooms? When a single patient room is not available, consultation with infection control personnel is recommended to assess the risks associated with other patient placement options (e.g., cohorting, keeping the patient with
