News & Media

November, 2009

HOSPITAL JOINS OTHERS BY RESTRICTING VISITORS

As a precautionary measure during the flu and H1N1 season, Fatima Hospital in North Providence has announced the institution of new visitor guidelines.

Effective immediately, persons experiencing flu-like symptoms will not be permitted to visit hospital patients. In addition, recognizing the higher likelihood among teenagers and small children of contracting the H1N1 flu, no one under 18 years old will be allowed to visit the hospital. Flu-like symptoms include any combination of a fever and one or more of the following: dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, extreme tiredness and muscle aches.

The hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department, in collaboration with its emergency preparedness team, has been carefully monitoring the H1N1 situation locally and regionally. Given the increasing flu activity seen throughout the state and in our immediate area, the new guidelines will further protect the health and safety of our patients and employees.

Fatima Hospital operates one of the state’s busiest emergency departments, treating more than 30,000 patients annually.