INDIANAPOLIS — In response to increased activity of respiratory viruses such as flu and RSV, hospitals in Marion County will soon begin implementing temporary restrictions for visitors. Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department, is making the request as part of the patient visitor policy of the Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety.
Hospitals in Marion County began temporary visitor restrictions during the week of Dec. 16, that include:
• No visitors with symptoms of illness such as sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and runny nose.
• No visitors under the age of 18.
The restrictions are designed to help protect the most vulnerable patients from these viruses. As with any time of the year, a visitor who is not feeling well should stay home. Visitors should observe the standard practices of washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes when around others. Masks will be provided for guests by the facility.
Visitors should check with a hospital’s website or call the facility in advance to learn more about its specific restrictions, any exceptions, and when visitor restrictions will begin at that hospital. Special arrangements can be made with each facility to allow additional visitors or younger visitors based on circumstances, such as end of life.
Marion County hospitals participating in the temporary visitor restrictions include those within Community Health Network, Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Ascension St. Vincent, Indiana University Health, and Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.
Vaccines are currently available for flu, RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19. Dr. Caine and medical staff with the health systems in Marion County strongly urge vaccination for all who are eligible, but especially for people at higher risk of serious complications from illness.
RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women and for adults ages 60 and older. Like the flu vaccine, updated COVID-19 vaccine is available and recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.