ThedaCare lifting temporary restriction for children visiting patients in hospitals

Constraint to be Lifted Saturday; Visitors still Encouraged to Mask

Because the influenza season is waning, ThedaCare leadership announces that on Saturday, March 31, it will lift the temporary restriction placed in early February not allowing children under the age of 12 to visit patients in all seven ThedaCare hospitals. All hospital visitors are still highly encouraged to wear masks and wash their hands when entering the facilities.

“Patient safety is always our primary goal,” said Mark Hallett, MD, Vice President of Patient Safety and High Reliability for ThedaCare. “The flu can cause serious complications and even death, especially in the very young, the elderly and those with existing medical conditions. We appreciated the community’s support in limiting the spread of the influenza virus and protecting friends and family.”

ThedaCare implemented the temporary restriction at hospitals in Appleton, Neenah, Shawano, New London, Waupaca, Berlin and Wild Rose.

ThedaCare continues to encourage the community to protect hospitalized patients from exposure by not visiting unless necessary. When family and friends visit, they are to wear masks and sanitize their hands before entering the room and when leaving.

Getting vaccinated and washing your hands are easy ways to fight the illness. Other simple tips to staying healthy include getting enough rest, eating right, and covering your cough.

For more than 100 years, ThedaCare® has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,700 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 31 clinics in nine counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a nonprofit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, and stroke, orthopedic and cardiac programs, as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.