Mission Health asks patients to limit visits to the hospital to decrease spread of influenza

Press Release

From Mission Health:

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 2, 2012) – Due to an increase in influenza (flu) activity throughout North Carolina, Mission Health is asking that family and friends limit their visitations to patients in the hospital. In particular, Mission Health is asking children under age 12 and people who do not feel well, to call patients rather than visit them. Mission Health has implemented this precaution at Mission Hospital and all Mission Health member hospitals and affiliates in western North Carolina including CarePartners in Asheville, McDowell Hospital in Marion, Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine and Angel Medical Center in Franklin.
In addition to limiting exposure, the spread of the flu can be controlled with frequent hand washing. All visitors to the hospital are urged to wash their hands before and after visiting.

“This decision is based on recommendations from Mission Health’s Infection Prevention Committee in an effort to minimize the spread of influenza among patients,” said Dale Fell, MD, Senior Vice President and System Chief Medical Officer of Mission Health. “Our patients are our first priority and their health and safety is paramount as we work toward our goal of achieving our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”

Limiting visitations is a precaution often taken during flu season when flu activity reaches a certain level. Should the flu activity level increase, further restrictions may be implemented or recommended. As a reminder, people are asked not visit the hospital whenever they are not feeling well and not just during the flu season.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.
Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.