M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is taking action to safeguard its patients, their families and the health care teams from added exposure to H1N1 and seasonal flu.
Effective Monday, Oct. 19, M. D. Anderson will not allow visitors 12 years and under in any of its campus buildings or common areas. For teens or adults who are experiencing flu-like symptoms of runny nose, fever or sore throat, M. D. Anderson will be actively screening patients and visitors at the front desks of all clinics, centers or upon arrival to inpatient areas. Patients showing flu-like illness will be given masks, while visitors experiencing similar symptoms will be asked to leave the institution.
The change to the visitor policy takes effect Monday, Oct. 19, and will remain in effect until M. D. Anderson determines that the H1N1 and seasonal flu is no longer a threat to the safety of patients, their families and the staff.
In keeping with this policy change, M. D. Anderson's Child Visitation Rooms will not be available for child care.
The only exceptions to this policy will be children who are patients in active treatment or who have appointments at M. D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital.
M. D. Anderson urges visitors, family members and staff to remain at home for at least seven days after the onset of influenza-like symptoms or fever or 24 hours without fever (without medication), whichever is longer. Throughout this emerging flu season, M. D. Anderson encourages visitors and staff to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, get a flu shot and stay at home when ill.
M. D. Anderson apologizes for any inconveniences this interim policy causes, but for the safety of the thousands of patients who seek the best cancer care in a safe environment, we appreciate your understanding.
For more information on H1N1 flu, prevention tips and its impact on patients with weakened immune systems, please see http://www.flu.gov/index.html
Effective Monday, Oct. 19, M. D. Anderson will not allow visitors 12 years and under in any of its campus buildings or common areas. For teens or adults who are experiencing flu-like symptoms of runny nose, fever or sore throat, M. D. Anderson will be actively screening patients and visitors at the front desks of all clinics, centers or upon arrival to inpatient areas. Patients showing flu-like illness will be given masks, while visitors experiencing similar symptoms will be asked to leave the institution.
The change to the visitor policy takes effect Monday, Oct. 19, and will remain in effect until M. D. Anderson determines that the H1N1 and seasonal flu is no longer a threat to the safety of patients, their families and the staff.
In keeping with this policy change, M. D. Anderson's Child Visitation Rooms will not be available for child care.
The only exceptions to this policy will be children who are patients in active treatment or who have appointments at M. D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital.
M. D. Anderson urges visitors, family members and staff to remain at home for at least seven days after the onset of influenza-like symptoms or fever or 24 hours without fever (without medication), whichever is longer. Throughout this emerging flu season, M. D. Anderson encourages visitors and staff to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, get a flu shot and stay at home when ill.
M. D. Anderson apologizes for any inconveniences this interim policy causes, but for the safety of the thousands of patients who seek the best cancer care in a safe environment, we appreciate your understanding.
For more information on H1N1 flu, prevention tips and its impact on patients with weakened immune systems, please see http://www.flu.gov/index.html
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