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Baptist Health Madisonville updates visitation policy due to flu activity

January 03, 2018

Baptist Health Madisonville Issues Update to Visitation Guidelines During Flu Season

(Madisonville, KY) January 3, 2018- Baptist Health Madisonville, with recommendations from the Hopkins County Health Department, has issued an update to patient visitation guidelines to aid in reducing the spread of the influenza virus.  The Centers for Disease Control weekly influenza summary shows that Kentucky remains in the widespread category for flu activity.

  • Visitors will be restricted to those determined to be immediate family or significantly participating in the support of the hospitalized patient
  • No visitors with respiratory infections or influenza-like symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, chills, body aches, and runny nose.
  • No visitors under the age of 18
  • Exceptions to the above restrictions may be made for critically-ill or end-of-life situations.
  • Any patients being seen in the Emergency Department or other areas with influenza-like symptoms will be asked to wear a mask.
  • All visitors need to wash their hands frequently and use hand-sanitizer

As a reminder, all visitors are required to follow any and all infection control precautions and requests of the nursing and security staff while visiting patients at Baptist Health Madisonville.

By taking these precautions, Baptist Health Madisonville hopes to help stop the further spread of the flu virus in our community and to protect the health of our current patients that are vulnerable during this time.

Influenza, or the flu, is an infectious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.  The most common symptoms are a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches and pains, headache, coughing and generally feeling tired.  Symptoms can be mild to severe. 

Complications caused by the influenza virus may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health related conditions such as asthma or heart failure.

Getting vaccinated against the influenza virus and practicing frequent hand washing are the best defenses against the spread of the virus.