Visitor Restrictions
Although the number of flu cases in central Ohio has declined, The Ohio State University Medical Center is still taking steps to protect our patients, families and staff by temporarily limiting visitors to our hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices.
These new restrictions apply at University Hospital, University Hospital East, OSU Ross Heart Hospital, The James, Dodd Hall, OSU Harding Hospital and all clinics and doctors’ offices.
These temporary restrictions on visitation include:
- Visitors who have any flu-like symptoms or have been diagnosed with the flu within the past seven days will not be permitted.
o An individual with flu-like symptoms should only come to a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office if he/she is personally in need of medical treatment.
o Flu-like symptoms include fever greater than 100.4 degrees with a cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, fatigue, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea.
o If a visitor has any of these symptoms, they will be asked to leave the hospital, clinic or doctor’s office.
o If a patient has any of these symptoms, they will be asked to wear a mask and wash their hands immediately. The patient will be placed in isolation.
- Visitors under the age of 13 will not be permitted in any part of the hospital (including the Labor and Delivery unit) or in any clinic or doctor’s office at any time. Only children in need of medical treatment should come to the hospital, clinic or doctor’s office.
- Children between ages 13 and 18 may only visit the hospital, clinic or doctor’s office if they are part of a patient’s immediate family (e.g., sibling, child or grandchild).
- Visitors to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (3 James), Neonatal ICU (6 Doan), Medical and Surgical ICUs (at UH and UH East) and Surgical Transplant Unit (9 East Rhodes) will be limited to only immediate family members who are at least 13 years of age since patients on these units have an impaired immune system.
- If a patient is critically or terminally ill, a nurse manager or charge nurse for the unit may make an exception to these restrictions. Anyone visiting as an exception to these restrictions must wear a mask and perform hand hygiene.
- If a patient comes to the Emergency Department with a child under the age of 13, the child will be allowed to temporarily stay in the ED until alternate child care arrangements can be made.
- Please contact a customer service representative for any questions about these restrictions.
• UH/Ross/Dodd/Clinic/Doctor’s Offices: (614) 293-8944
• OSU Harding Hospital: (614) 293-3530
• The James: (614) 293-8609
• University Hospital East: (614) 257-2310
Download our H1N1 Visitor Restrictions PDF
Prevention Information
Symptoms of H1N1 flu closely resemble seasonal flu and include fever, weakness, coughing and lack of appetite. It is contagious. The best way to prevent H1N1 flu is to continue to follow infection control steps including:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow (not your hand) when you sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent germs from spreading.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water and use hand sanitizers.
- Avoid being in close contact with those who are ill. If you are ill, please limit your exposure to others by staying home from work or school and avoid visiting the hospital.
H1N1 flu can be successfully treated with medication. If you think you might have the flu, please see your primary care doctor. He or she can test you for the flu and will be able to identify the strain of the flu you may have.
Recently, Steven Gabbe, MD, CEO of Ohio State's Medical Center, provided information on Medical Center preparation for the flu season. You can view the flu message here.
For additional information refer to: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu