Indexes
February 8th, 2010
February 6th, 2010
February 5th, 2010
February 4th, 2010
February 3rd, 2010
February 2nd, 2010
February 1st, 2010
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (73)
- President Obama's first year (67)
- Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
- Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
- Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
- Writer comments on Neely column (42)
- Many reject the politics of 'no' (42)
- The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
- Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
- Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)
ADVERTISEMENT
Nancy Lopes, an admission representative, sits at the front entrance of Lodi Memorial Hospital on Friday. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)
New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16
Starting Monday, no visitors under the age of 16 will be allowed in Lodi Memorial Hospital and four other hospitals in the region.
Additionally, patients will only be allowed two visitors at a time, and every visitor must wash their hands before and after seeing the patients.
The limit is part of an effort to combat the H1N1 virus, said hospital spokeswoman Carol Farron.
The restrictions mean that parents undergoing surgery, or who are admitted, will not be able to see their younger children until they are released from the hospital.
Exceptions will be made in extreme cases, such as patients with life-threatening conditions, so they can see their loved ones, Farron said.
"Everybody's in very different situations and we will make exceptions in life-and-death situations, but people need to check with their loved ones' nurses first," she said.
Also, the hospital is turning away its 100 teenage volunteers, in an effort to cut down on the number of people in the hospital.
Pregnant women are also urged to avoid visiting the hospital, because they are at an increased risk of catching the virus, Farron said. The hospital has canceled child birth classes and tours for expectant mothers.
Other hospitals imposing the limits are San Joaquin General in French Camp, Dameron and St. Joseph's in Stockton, and Doctors Hospital of Manteca.
Lodi Memorial Hospital Spokeswoman Carrol Farron stops at a hand-sanitizer station in the hospital Friday. The sanitizers are everywhere to help protect patients, staff and visitors. As of Monday, the hospital will enforce a visitor restriction on children under 16, no more than two visitors per patient and hand cleansing before and after visiting. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)
The limits will be in place through the duration of the flu season, which could last until spring, Farron said.
"All of the hospitals realize the importance of loved ones as part of the healing process. However, we also have an obligation to be good health care stewards to the community," Michael Ricks, chief operating officer at St. Joseph's Medical Center, said in a written statement.
Hospital administrators were notifying employees and doctors on Friday. Signs outside the hospital will notify visitors of the changes on Monday. And the hospital is increasing security guards' numbers in an effort to let people know about the changes before they try to enter the hospital.
The hospital does not have a child care center where parents can leave their children while visiting someone. Farron also noted that its illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, so she encouraged parents to make arrangements ahead of time.
Each room at the hospital has a telephone, so patients will still be able to contact their loved ones.
Between its main hospital on South Fairmont Avenue and its branch at Lower Sacramento Road and Vine Street, Lodi Memorial currently has 180 licensed beds, Farron said. A new wing at the main hospital is supposed to open in December, adding 90 beds to that total, meaning that the visitation limits could affect more than 250 patients.
The limit won't affect the Urgent Care clinic on Vine Street, since it does not admit patients, but Farron encouraged people to avoid going there unless treatment is needed.
"Don't just come along to be with someone. If you're sick, of course we want to see you, but if you don't need to be there, don't come," she said.
Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.
Search for Ads 
Today’s Print Ads 
RSS Feeds
Reader Feedback
Patricia wrote on Nov 7, 2009 2:58 PM:
doxgal wrote on Nov 7, 2009 12:03 PM:
Comments on this story are now closed.