Atrium Health to Lift Visitor Restrictions Due to Flu
Doctors see significant decrease in flu cases
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 6, 2023 – Effective at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, flu restrictions limiting visitation by those aged 12 and under will be lifted at Charlotte-area Atrium Health hospitals. A significant drop in the number of patients being seen with flu-like symptoms prompted the change. Health systems will continue to require patients and teammates to wear masks in our facilities in accordance with CDC and regulatory guidance.
Atrium Health is joining Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health, Cone Health, CaroMont Health and Randolph Health in lifting the restrictions at the same date and time to prevent confusion among the public and to avoid a patchwork of varying restrictions. This unified response helps better control the spread of flu throughout the region.
Hospitals affected by the visitation policy are: Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health Mercy, Atrium Health Cabarrus, Atrium Health Pineville, Atrium Health Union, Atrium Health Union West, Atrium Health University City, Atrium Health Lincoln, Atrium Health Cleveland, Atrium Health Kings Mountain, Atrium Health Anson, Atrium Health Stanly, Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte, Atrium Health Behavioral Health Davidson, Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte, Carolinas Rehabilitation NorthEast, Carolinas Rehabilitation Mount Holly and Atrium Health Pineville Rehabilitation Hospital.
Despite the decline, Atrium Health is asking individuals of all ages who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to help control the spread of the illness by not visiting patients in the hospital. Symptoms include fever, headaches, body aches or pain, cough or sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
To reduce the odds of getting the flu, Atrium Health recommends frequent handwashing with soap or use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; not touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands; and getting an annual flu shot.
Most people with the flu have mild illness and do not need medical care. If you have flu symptoms, in most cases you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Flu sufferers should rest, drink fluids and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce minor pain or fever.
If you are concerned about the severity of your symptoms, contact your health care provider or start a video visit or eVisit. The emergency room should only be used for people who are very sick such as those with difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe vomiting or signs of dehydration.
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is an integrated, nonprofit health system with more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations. Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the fifth-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. It provides care under the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist name in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, region, as well as Atrium Health Navicent and Atrium Health Floyd in Georgia and Alabama. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the academic core of the system, including Wake Forest Innovations, which is advancing new medical technologies and biomedical discoveries. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing $2.46 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.
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