Potomac Hospital changes visiting hours

Potomac Hospital has joined a growing number of area hospitals changing their visitation policies during flu season.

Officials announced Thursday that Potomac Hospital will now allow only adults, ages 18 and older, to visit patients during flu season. The hospital also announced that its visiting hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

Visitors with flu-like symptoms will also be excluded from patient areas, officials said.

The policy changes will be in effect throughout flu season, officials stated in a press release.

According to the hospital’s Web site, visitors may also be asked to wear masks or other protective clothing when visiting.

“Taking care of our patients is our number one priority,” stated Potomac Hospital President and CEO William H. Flannagan Jr. “We must make every effort to protect those who are especially vulnerable, such as pregnant women, newborns and those with compromised immune systems, from the spread of flu.”

According to the press release, exceptions may be made in “extenuating circumstances” and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Other restrictions will apply to visitors to the intensive care, intermediate care, oncology, pediatric, post partum and neonatal intensive care units, officials said.

Potomac Hospital’s announcement comes a week after Prince William Hospital officials announced similar changes to its visitation policy during flu season.

Officials there said that visitors younger than 18 will not be allowed in patient-care areas during flu season because they are more susceptible to the H1N1 flu.

At Prince William Hospital, tours of the birthing center have also been suspended during flu season.
Last week, officials at Inova Fairfax Hospital announced similar changes.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.