Stockton Hospitals Adopt New H1N1 Visitor Policy

STOCKTON, CA - Continued concern about the spread and seriousness of H1N1 has led to a change in visitor policies at Stockton area hospitals.

"We want to control the spread of H1N1. That's the main thing for the safety of patients, families and themselves as well," said San Joaquin General Nursing Director Erlinda Bolor.

At the county hospital, as well as St. Joseph's and Dameron in Stockton, Lodi Memorial and Doctors Hospital in Manteca, the following restrictions apply to visitors;

• No one under the age of 16
• Only two visitors per patient, at one time
• No visits by people feeling sick
• Pregnant women advised not to visit

The restrictions can be startling to visitors at first.

"Some of our visitors are disappointed, that they can't bring children.  But when we explain to people how important it is to protect them and family members, they agree," said Rae Charos of St. Joseph's Medical Center.

The new visitor policy won't end soon. "It'll last through flu season, which usually ends in the Spring, but not last time.   H1N1 started in the spring, so we'll regroup and redetermine in the spring," said Charos.

Charos said this effort by San Joaquin County hospitals is the only one like it in the state of California.

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