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AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center has enacted a temporary visitor restriction to protect its most vulnerable patients during respiratory syncytial virus and flu seasons. Visitors under the age of 14 may not visit:
"The Roger B. Hansen Center for Childbirth at ARMC Mainland Campus in Pomona, including labor and delivery, maternal newborn, maternal fetal medicine, and neonatal intensive care unit.
"The Stanley M. Grossman Pediatric Center at ARMC Atlantic City Campus.
"The AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute, a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, both Egg Harbor Township and Cape May Court House locations.
Our patients who have health issues that impact their immunity are more susceptible to flu and other illnesses, Division of Infectious Diseases Director Manish Trivedi, M.D. said. We are taking this precautionary measure to protect them, their families, and our community."
AtlantiCare restricts anyone with a fever of 100 or above and any of the following from visiting all areas of the hospital and its ambulatory care sites on a year-round basis.
"Cough
"Sore throat
"Runny or stuffy nose
"Muscle or body aches
"Headaches
"Fatigue (tiredness)
"Vomiting and diarrhea
We have experienced an increase in the number of young patients with RSV symptoms as regional cases rise in this common, contagious virus, CHOP Care Network Medical Director Jennifer Tioseco, M.D. said. Infants and young children whose immune systems are weakened due to illness or medical treatment are at higher risk for complications of RSV.
Siblings of our hospitalized pediatric patients might seem well when their brothers or sisters are admitted to the hospital, Susan Mah, M.D. said. However, they sometimes develop flu and other respiratory illnesses shortly after their sibling is hospitalized. It is for their protection and that of all of our patients, visitors, staff and providers that we have implemented this temporary restriction.
