Flu limits visitation at Duke hospital

DURHAM The hospital hopes limiting visits will prevent the spread of the illness. The limits will remain in place until the flu peak passes. That will probably be a week. "We're trying to be proactive in limiting the amount of exposure patients get," said Mary Oden, Duke University Hospital infection control director. says. In intensive-care units and other high-risk units, visits will be limited to essential hospital personnel and the closest family member with no symptoms of influenza. In lower-risk units, including the Emergency Department, visits will be limited to essential family members who have no symptoms of the flu. "If you have a cold or the flu, don't come to visit at all," Oden says. The high-risk units include the surgical, cardiothoracic, neurological, coronary care, pediatric and 7200 medical intensive care units, plus the intensive-care nursery and the 5100, 5200, 5300, 7800, 9100, 9200 and 9300 floors.