Navicent Health Committed to Proactively Protect You, Your Family and Your Caregivers During Flu Season

MACON, GA (Wednesday, February 17, 2016) - With influenza circulating in the community and primarily affecting young people, Atrium Health Navicent has set up a first line of defense. Atrium Health Navicent has implemented a youth visitation policy for the protection of patients, visitors and hospital staff. 

Effective Monday, February 22, 2016, children must be age 12 or older in order to visit the Medical Center, Navicent Health; Medical Center of Peach County, Navicent Health; and Rehabilitation Hospital, Atrium Health Navicent.

"The health of our patients and the community is the highest concern at Navicent Health. Our policies and actions are designed to protect those at greatest risk during the flu season,” said Dr. Chris Hendry, Chief Medical Officer for The Medical Center, Navicent Health.

Administrators at Atrium Health Navicent based the decision to restrict visitation on information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the prevalence of influenza in the region at this time.

Individuals with flu-like symptoms and those who have recently had the flu are encouraged to remain at home and stay away from public areas, including school, work, theaters or other areas where people are in close proximity.

Anyone with symptoms of a cold, or others with immunocompromised health status, are encouraged not to visit the hospital for their own protection as well as that of seriously ill patients.

“We appreciate the community's understanding and cooperation with these efforts to minimize exposure during this active flu season,” said Dr. Hendry.