MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACTS:
Laura Rossacher (VCU Health System): lrossacher@vcu.edu, 804-827-1730  

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 29, 2018) — Starting Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, hospitals and health systems that are members of the Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition will update their visitation guidelines to protect patients, visitors and health care providers during flu season. 

VCU Health System facilities, Bon Secours, HCA Virginia, Southside Regional Medical Center, Centra Southside Community Hospital, and Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center will limit visitors in patient care areas to include only healthy adults who are 18 years or older, and no more than two adults per patient at one time. The guidelines apply to visitors, and do not affect children who need to be hospitalized.

In close collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the limitations are implemented in years when the flu is a widespread concern. Signs at entryways to the health system facilities will alert the public of the limited-visitation policy.