DES MOINES, Iowa- The Polk County Health Department is putting additional visitor restrictions in place at all Des Moines area hospitals, beyond the normal precautions during cold and flu season.
Effective immediately, only primary caregivers are allowed to visit patients in the hospital. Those include parents or stepparents, a spouse or significant other, or other defined caregiver. Siblings are not allowed unless 16 years of age and a defined caregiver.
Visitors must be healthy, free of any fever, sore throat, cough diarrhea, vomiting, or runny nose, and must limit movement within the facility and avoid common areas.
Exceptions mayo be made in certain situations, and can be discussed with patient care teams.
Health officials say the restrictions are temporary and subject to change.
Officials also say all caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and and water or use alcohol-based hand foam/gel upon entering and exiting the patient's room.