New Visitor Guidelines Due to Flu
By: Bob Larson
Updated: January 11, 2013
Due to the heightened outbreak of the flu, OSF St. Francis, Methodist, Proctor and Pekin Hospital
issued a joint statement, saying they are changing some guidelines for visiting.
While the guidelines are voluntary, all area hospitals will begin enforcing them beginning Monday,
January 14th. During this time: visitors need to be at least 18 years of age and older; no more
than two visitors will be allowed at a time; exceptions may be made for cases involving critically
ill patients or end of life situations; hospital staff may request visitors wear a mask or leave
the patient care area if they are observed coughing or sneezing; please don't visit hospitalized
patients if you have had flu like symptoms during the past seven days; those symptoms include
fever 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, and /or sore throat. Please wash your hands with
soap and water or use an alcohol based hand foam/ gel when entering and leaving a patient's
room.
