Flu Restrictions for Banner hospitals

Effective Sept. 2, all Banner Health hospitals have visitor restrictions to protect our patients, visitors and employees during this influenza season.

Some hospitals are following stricter rules (including not allowing  children to the hospital to visit or allowing them as far as the lobby) because of the type of patient they care for. These hospitals are:

• Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center
• Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
• Page Hospital

All other hospitals are following general restrictions:

The general restrictions are:

• Do not visit the hospital if you have signs of possible flu (runny nose, cough, fever, etc.)
• Children ages 12 and under will not be permitted in patient care areas in the hospital. Research indicates that children are the main carriers and transmitters of the flu
• Typically, patient care areas include any location where a patient may receive care, such as patient rooms, medical imaging, speech/occupational/physical therapy, outpatient services, etc. Visitor restrictions do not apply to public areas such as Waiting Rooms, Lobby, Cafeteria or Gift Shop
• Each hospital will determine what is considered a patient care area.
• Children may be allowed into patient care areas on a case-by-case basis only after a child has been provided with a respiratory mask, gloves and observes strict precautions during this visit.
• Please wash your hands often and before entering a patient’s room and upon leaving. Sinks and waterless hand sanitizer units are available on all nursing units.

These restrictions were developed by Banner Infectious Disease workgroup.