AMHERST, N.Y. — Visitors to Millard Suburban Hospital need to be aware of some temporary changes being made to the health care facility's visitation policy.
These changes are being made due to the severity of the respiratory virus and flu season.
To protect patients already in the hospital, you are asked that if you are sick you should not visit unless you are seeking treatment.
Due to the way the illnesses are spread, children under five should not visit because it's difficult for them to adequately cover their cough or wash their hands properly.
Children under 14 should not visit for their own protection, but if allowed to do so; they must be accompanied by a supervising adult.
Parents and grandparents are exempt from this policy, but are advised to wear a mask if they are sick.
Hospital staff may screen visitors who appear to be ill and if found to be so, may be offered a respiratory mask or asked to postpone their visit.
If you are sick, you are asked not to visit but reach out via Skype or facetime.
Exceptions will be made to these restrictions in the event staff determines the benefit of the visit outweighs the risk to the patient.
Visitors are also asked to wash your hands or use alcohol based hand gel frequently, especially before and after visiting a patient's room.
Earlier in the week, Oishei Children's Hospital put out a similar change to their visitor policy to protect the patients. Those that are ill and any child under the age of 5, unless seeking treatment to stay home.