Allina Health announces restricted visitor guidelines during flu season

Allina Health announced Monday that hospitals will be implementing restricted visitor guidelines to protect patients as flu season kicks into high gear.

Starting Jan. 22, Allina hospitals will implement the following rules:

- Children under the age of five are asked not to visit patients.
- Visitors to Mom Baby/Birth Center units may be screened for wellness and children under 5 will be screened for wellness before visiting.  
-  Visitors who are sick should refrain from visiting patients in the hospital.
- Compassionate exceptions may be considered based on a patient’s critical condition/prognosis. Talk to a nurse.
- If you or your child has a cough or sore throat, please wear a mask while in our building.
- At all times, please cover your cough. Please wash your hands or use the antibacterial hand cleanser we provide throughout our facilities.

Allina Health hospitals include:

•    Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis
•    Buffalo Hospital
•    Cambridge Medical Center
•    District One Hospital, Faribault
•    Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids
•    Mercy Hospital - Unity Campus, Fridley
•    New Ulm Medical Center
•    Owatonna Hospital
•    Phillips Eye Institute, Minneapolis
•    Regina Hospital, Hastings
•    River Falls Area Hospital, River Falls, Wis.
•    St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee
•    United Hospital, St. Paul