New Uniform Visitation Policy in Effect at All Area Hospitals
Due to H1N1 Flu Outbreak

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (Oct. 26, 2009) -- Due to a community-wide surge in influenza-like (flu-like) illness (ILI) as evident in hospital emergency departments and physicians’ offices, hospitals/health systems in the Lehigh Valley have agreed to a uniform hospital visitation policy as follows until further notice:

• No visitors 18 years of age and under
• No visitors with any symptoms of flu-like illness

The new restrictions are effective immediately and are designed to protect all of the hospitals’ patients and staff.
All area hospitals, the Allentown and Bethlehem health bureaus and the Lehigh and Northampton county emergency preparedness offices support implementation of the visitation restrictions, which apply to the following:

• Easton Hospital
• Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital
• Lehigh Valley Health Network
• Sacred Heart Hospital
• St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network

All of the above health care providers would greatly appreciate the cooperation of the community as well as physicians, nurses and staff in helping to comply with the new restrictions to limit the spread of flu-like illness and keep the community healthy.
President Obama has declared the outbreak of H1N1 flu to be a national emergency. By declaring a national emergency, the President is making it easier for U.S. medical facilities to handle a surge in flu patients.
The declaration is a preemptive step to free the medical community from any
constraints that might hamper the treatment and prevention of the growing epidemic.
Health authorities report that more than 1,000 people in the U.S., including 100 children, have died from the strain of flu known as H1N1.