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DURHAM — With swine flu activity waning, Duke University Health System has dropped visitor age restrictions at its hospitals, opening the door for children to again be able to visit patients at all three local Duke hospitals.
UNC Hospitals, however, is keeping its age restrictions in place. According to a spokesman for UNC, the restrictions are expected to remain in place at least through the end of December.
Both health systems put in the restrictions earlier this fall, reacting to the beginning of the H1N1 flu surge.
Duke requested that patient visitation in all its inpatient and outpatient facilities be limited to adult members of the patient’s immediate family or designated caregivers to minimize potential patient exposure to the virus.
UNC restricted access to all areas of the hospital for visitors 12 years of age and under and to individuals of any age who have influenza-like symptoms. Duke and UNC were among many hospitals nationwide that restricted visitors under the age of 18 to minimize the risk of spreading H1N1 flu. But the reduction of H1N1 activity both locally and across the state in recent weeks has reduced the need for such limitations, officials at Duke said.
Health system officials say they will continue rigorous surveillance for the potential re-emergence of the H1N1 influenza virus and policies may be altered as needed to maintain a safe and supportive environment for patients and staff.
The announcement from Duke, which also operates Duke Health Raleigh Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital, comes a day after WakeMed Health & Hospitals announced it was dropping its visitor age restrictions.
While H1NI activity is down, the annual seasonal flu season is about to begin. Hospitals consequently are reminding all visitors to follow standard flu precautions, including good hand hygiene and avoiding visitations if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
