Flu activity increases, FirstHealth reinforces visitor restrictions to protect patients and community

PINEHURST — As flu activity continues to rise across the region, FirstHealth of the Carolinas is reinforcing visitor guidelines and encouraging preventive measures to protect patients, visitors and health care teams.

Effective immediately, visitor restrictions are in place at all FirstHealth facilities to reduce the spread of respiratory illness during this flu season.

• Patients are limited to two visitors at a time
• No visitors under the age of 12 are permitted
• During this period of increased flu activity, visitation by immediate family only is strongly encouraged
• Individuals with any respiratory symptoms including cough, fever, sore throat or congestion should not visit
• Masks are available for visitors and are strongly encouraged, especially when visiting patients who may be more vulnerable to infection

“These measures are an important part of keeping patients, visitors and care teams safe during a time of increased flu activity,” said Jayne Lee, MPH, BSN, CIC, FAPIC, director of infection control and patient safety for FirstHealth.  “We appreciate the community’s cooperation and understanding as we work together to reduce the spread of illness.”

FirstHealth also encourages everyone to take simple but effective precautions, including washing hands frequently and practicing good hand hygiene, wearing a mask when appropriate, and staying home when sick to prevent the spread of illness to others.

These steps, along with visitor restrictions, support a safe care environment and help ensure that patients continue to receive high-quality care throughout flu season.