El Centro, Calif. – December 18, 2018 – El Centro Regional Medical Center announced today that effective immediately the hospital is taking steps to prevent the spread of flu to its patients by restricting visitation to one (1) family member per patient and no one under the age of 16. ECRMC is also asking visitors with a cold, cough, or fever not to visit patients or accompany them to visits at the clinics.

“For the safety of patients and staff, ECRMC is restricting visitors, however individuals who need medical attention for flu-like symptoms should continue to seek care from ECRMC or its outpatient clinics located in El Centro and Calexico,” said Louise Kenney, chief nursing officer at ECRMC.

To reduce the risk to uninfected patients, ECRMC has implemented the following visitor restrictions and other safeguards:

• People with flu-like symptoms, or under the age of 16, should not visit loved ones who are hospitalized at ECRMC.
• People with flu-like symptoms should not come to their loved ones’ outpatient appointments at ECRMC clinics, or come with them to the emergency room, if at all possible.
• Anyone with flu-like symptoms – whether they are a patient or a visitor who absolutely needs to come – must wear a mask while they are at any ECRMC facility. Masks are available at entrances.
• Exceptions to these restrictions can be granted by the patients’ team.
• ECRMC staff must either have been vaccinated against the flu or must wear mask within hospital premises.