Mission Health Places Restrictions on Visitors

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 30, 2014) – Mission Health is restricting visitors to its hospitals due to an increase in reported influenza-like illnesses throughout North Carolina. Only immediate family members over the age of 12 will be permitted in patient care areas. Mission Health is asking friends and family of patients to limit visitations based on recommendations from Mission Health’s infection prevention department. However, the number of reported flu cases has continued to increase statewide, triggering a threshold at which Mission Health will now restrict visitations.

This precaution is being implemented at Mission Hospital and all Mission Health member hospitals and affiliates in western North Carolina including CarePartners in Asheville, McDowell Hospital in Marion, Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands.

“Visitation restrictions are applied to protect the health and well-being of our patients and visitors and to minimize the spread of influenza throughout the community,” said William Hathaway, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Mission Hospital and Mission Medical Associates. “We encourage other friends and family to call loved ones rather than visit the hospital to ensure their safety as we continuously work toward achieving our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”

All visitors are advised to wash their hands before and after visiting the hospital. Hand sanitizing stations are available at hospital entrances and throughout the buildings. People who have not yet received the influenza vaccine are urged to do so immediately, and to ensure their children have been vaccinated. However, children under the age of 12 will not be permitted in patient care areas of the hospitals.