Like many other health systems across the region and the nation, Crozer-Keystone Health System is seeing increased volumes of patients presenting with influenza-like illnesses. In an effort to reduce the spread of influenza (including H1N1) and protect our patients, their family members and our health care providers, Crozer-Keystone has revised its inpatient visitation policy.

Crozer-Keystone now requires that only friends and family 16 years or older may visit patients in our hospitals. This policy is effective Wednesday, Nov. 4, and will be in effect for the duration of the flu season at all Crozer-Keystone hospitals: Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Springfield Hospital in Springfield and Community Hospital in Chester.

This policy follows the recommendations of the Delaware Valley Healthcare Council as well as the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Crozer-Keystone also requests that all visitors follow flu precautions that the health system has already implemented:

• Visitors who have symptoms of the flu or a cold – such as sniffles, sneezing, aches, fever or cough - should not visit patients or enter the hospital.
• Visitors should wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Visitors should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. If they do not have a tissue, visitors are asked to cough or sneeze in their upper sleeves, not their hands.

In certain circumstances, visitors may be asked to wear a mask to prevent the spread of influenza.  

For additional information about influenza and H1N1, visit http://flu.crozer.org.