Video courtesy of Ready Anoka County.

Hospital visitor limitations due to H1N1 influenza (swine flu)

The health and safety of patients and employees is Allina Hospitals & Clinics' top priority.

To protect patients and health care team members from exposure to the H1N1 virus, hospital visiting guidelines have some temporary changes, effective Monday, November 2, 2009.

• Hours (Some Allina hospitals may have more restrictive visiting hours.)
  • General visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Visiting hours for women's (OB) and children's departments are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Spouse (or parent, if patient is a child) may visit at any time.
• Age
  • Age 16 and older for non-immediate family
  • No children under age 5
  • Sibling/children of patients, age 5 or older may visit with adult supervision
• Maximum of three visitors per patient at a time
• Do not visit patients if you are sick or if you have sick household members
• Visitors to women's (OB) and children's departments must sign in and be screened for influenza-like illness.
• Compassionate exceptions may be considered based on a patient's critical condition/prognosis. Talk to a nurse.

Visitors are asked to follow hand-hygiene procedures by washing hands or using the antibacterial foam provided throughout the hospital.

These guidelines are for anyone visiting Allina's 11 hospitals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis; United Hospital, St. Paul; Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids; Unity Hospital, Fridley; St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee; Cambridge Medical Center; Buffalo Hospital; Owatonna Hospital; New Ulm Medical Center; Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis; and River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin.