New Visitor Guidelines

In our continuing efforts to protect our patients, staff and visitors from H1N1 and seasonal influenza, St. Joseph Hospital and Redwood Memorial Hospital are making some changes to our visitor policy with the intent that it will help decrease the spread of influenza during the current flu season.

H1N1 influenza has been present for several weeks in Humboldt County and we are caring for patients with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) every day. Nationwide, H1N1 is impacting children especially hard, which is why we have decided to change our visitation policy to restrict visitors younger than 18 years of age at both St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial Hospitals through the end of the regular flu season (April 2010).

Please note the following changes:
● All visitors will be screened at the main entrance before they will be allowed to enter the Hospital.
● Starting December 16, 2009, no visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed at either of our ministries unless the person is the parent of a patient at the Hospital or in special circumstances. Special circumstances will be determined by the patient’s physician and the clinical unit director.
● Visitors with ILI who are not seeking medical care at the Hospital will not be allowed to enter. Patients with ILI will be required to wear a surgical mask while in the Hospital.
● Visitation hours will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless special circumstances are present.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement these changes. Please remember that these new policy changes are part of our ongoing efforts to protect our patients, staff, physicians and visitors.