Visitor Restrictions Imposed at 6 Henry Ford Hospitals

DETROIT – With flu activity widespread in Michigan, Henry Ford Health System is implementing temporary visitor restrictions at its six hospitals to protect patients, team members and visitors from the spread of flu illness.

The visitor restrictions include the following:

• Visitors are limited to those 12 years and older, with one exception at Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital, where visitors are limited to 18 and older.

• Patients who have flu-like symptoms and have scheduled appointments or procedures should wear a mask and maintain proper hand hygiene.

• Visitors who have flu-like symptoms are asked not to visit a hospitalized loved one, family member or friend until their symptoms improve.

These measures take effect immediately at these Henry Ford hospitals:

• Henry Ford Hospital.

• Henry Ford Allegiance Health.

• Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.

• Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

• Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.

• Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital.

“We believe these temporary visitor restrictions are the right thing to do for the health and safety of our patients, our team members and our visitors,” says Betty Chu, M.D., Henry Ford’s associate chief clinical officer and chief quality officer. “A decision to lift the restrictions will be made at a later point based on flu activity.”

Dr. Chu says it’s not too late to get the flu shot. “The flu shot is the best way to protect people against the flu,” she says. “We encourage anyone older than six months of age receive the flu shot. We have plenty of vaccine available across our health system for those who haven’t yet receive their flu shot.”

Flu-like symptoms come on suddenly and include the following:

• Fever.

• Extreme tiredness.

• Headache.

• Muscle aches.

• Cough.

• Sore throat.

Antiviral medicines are available to treat the flu, and work most effective if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. It can reduce symptoms and shorten flu illness.

Dr. Chu says everyone can limit the spread of germs by practicing these daily healthy habits:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Clean and disinfect touched surfaces at home, work and school.

###

MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / David.Olejarz@hfhs.org / 313.874.4094