Banner Health Implements Visitor Restrictions For the Flu and Respiratory Virus Season

Banner Health’s seasonal visitor restrictions are now in effect due to the increased flu and respiratory virus season. These restrictions impact all Banner hospitals across six states, effective on Monday, Dec. 4.

The restrictions include:

-Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to visit patients in their rooms. If visiting a hospital, children under the age of 13 must be always supervised by an adult in public waiting areas and cafeterias.
-Visitors are asked not to come to the hospital if you are experiencing: Fever, cough, vomiting or diarrhea
-Siblings may visit the new baby on the Obstetrics Unit but may be screened for illness by staff prior.

Visitors are highly encouraged to wash or sanitize hands frequently while at the hospital to prevent getting the flu or potentially spreading any illness.

“The health and well-being of our patients, staff and visitors are extremely important to us,” said Joan Ivaska, executive director of infection prevention at Banner Health. “We implement hospital restrictions during this time of year to keep everyone safe and help prevent the spread of infection. We appreciate visitors complying with our precautions to help protect themselves and others.”

Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.