Starting October 1, Coliseum Medical Centers and Coliseum Northside Hospital will implement restricted hospital visitation policies that will last until the end of flu season. In Georgia, flu season typically begins in October with a peak of illness between December and March. As they do each year, Coliseum Health System puts these restrictions in place at the beginning of flu season in an attempt to prevent the spread of flu between visitors of the hospital, patients and staff.  

The visitation policy states:

For the protection of our patients, we ask that these individuals NOT visit patient or patient care areas:

·         Any child under 12 years of age

·         Any age visitor with fever or respiratory symptoms

Children must remain on the first floor and be supervised by an adult.  In certain situations, visitation may be permitted for short visits, but must be approved by administration. Siblings of newborns will be allowed to visit.”

Dr. Richard Rubio, Chief Medical Officer of Coliseum Health System, said, “Our health system takes infection control very seriously and measures like these help our patients and staff stay protected from the flu.  Additionally, this policy keeps children from being exposed if they were to come into contact with a patient who has the flu.”

In addition, both hospitals have flu stations located at hospital entrances for any patients arriving who have fever or flu-like symptoms.  These flu stations include masks, hand sanitizer, and tissues.