News

Spike in flu cases prompts Park Ridge to restrict hospital visits

By Bill Moss, Published: January 5, 2018

Due to a sharp increase in influenza-like illnesses being reported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Park Ridge Health has implemented visitor restrictions.

To protect patients, visitors, providers and staff, the following restrictions are in place at Park Ridge Health:

• No hospital visitors under the age of 18 permitted.
• Visitors are limited to immediate family and clergy only.
• The number of visitors is limited to one or two at a time, unless special circumstances are presented.
• No hospital visitors with cough or other flu symptoms permitted.

“Park Ridge Health is taking this step to ensure the safety of our patients and the staff who is dedicated to caring for them,” said Jimm Bunch, Park Ridge Health President & CEO. “We have already seen the impact of the whooping cough outbreak on our communities and now the influenza rates are reaching a point where visitor restrictions are in the best interest of our patients, their families, and our care team.”

In December, Park Ridge Health implemented visitor restrictions due to the increase in confirmed cases of Pertussis (whooping cough). The visitor restrictions will remain in place until the elevated risk for exposure to the either of these illnesses returns to normal levels.