Southcoast lifts sibling restriction policy on maternity units

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals has lifted the restriction on siblings in the maternity units. Children under the age of 18, who are not siblings to the new baby, will continue to be restricted from the maternity and pediatric units. In addition, no visitors with cold or flu symptoms will be allowed. The policy applies to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

“Southcoast will be allowing siblings to visit on the maternity units at our three hospitals. This decision is based on data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showing a decline in the number of flu-like illness in the state, and the fact that the current flu-like illness level is slightly below what is expected for this time of the year,” said Marcia Liggin, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Southcoast Hospitals Group.

Southcoast officials also recommend that the following people who are in contact with infants receive the H1N1 vaccine:

· Pregnant women.

· New mothers, fathers and guardians.

· Household contacts and caregivers of infants who are less than 6 months old.

· Children 6 months to 24 years.

Persons age 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

Southcoast Hospitals Group continues to monitor, plan and implement a regional response to the H1N1 (Swine) flu outbreak. A primary source of information is the hospital’s Website: www.southcoast.org/flu/. Southcoast also sends out regular updates on Twitter and Facebook. Get connected at www.southcoast.org/connect/.