H1N1 Information

Mount Carmel is working closely with government agencies and other local health care systems to protect the health of our community. For the latest information about H1N1, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Columbus Public Health websites, where information is posted daily about the H1N1 virus, including new developments, guidelines for staying well and vaccination information.

Visitor Restrictions

Mount Carmel has lifted the temporary visitation restrictions implemented to protect our patients, their families and staff from the spread of the H1N1 virus. Restrictions continue for two areas only -- the Special Care Nursery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This policy applies to Mount Carmel East, Mount Carmel West, Mount Carmel St. Ann’s and Mount Carmel New Albany and all clinics. These temporary restrictions apply to visitors – not patients. Mount Carmel is committed to serving the needs of those seeking medical treatment. Those in need of medical treatment will be asked to wear a mask during their evaluation and treatment. Hand hygiene and washing is strongly encouraged.

Temporary visitation restrictions include:

Visitors who have any flu symptoms or have been diagnosed with the flu within the past seven days may not visit the Special Care Nursery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Flu symptoms include fever with a cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, fatigue, body aches, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
If a visitor has any of these symptoms, he/she will be asked to leave.

Children are not permitted in the Special Care Nursery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Only parents and grandparents may visit patients in these areas, because patients in these units have impaired immune systems.

Please talk to a nurse manager or charge nurse about cultural and religion sensitivities. We will take these into consideration, but must give priority to protecting the health of our patients, their families and staff.