Flu Season Increases Risks of Sick Visitors Making Patients Sicker
Charleston, SC - Due to the increase and severity in flu-related illnesses in the Lowcountry Trident and Summerville Medical Centers are asking the public to consider the safety of their patients when visiting the hospitals. Physicians are asking that guests with flu-like symptoms not visit the hospital during the flu season. This is one of several steps being taken to help prevent people who are already sick from visiting hospitalized patients.
Trident emergency medicine physician Eric Wright, MD, says, "The restrictions we have put into place are necessary steps to create an environment that gives our patients the best opportunity to get better." Additionally, children under the age of 12 will not be allowed in patient rooms. They can wait with adult supervision in public areas and waiting rooms. And, only two visitors per patient will be allowed in patient rooms.
In the last 12 days nearly 200 patients at Trident and Summerville Medical Centers' emergency departments have tested positive for the flu. In addition to its hospitals, Trident Health includes Moncks Corner Medical Center and Centre Pointe Emergency.
Visitor policy
Circumstances may allow for specific exceptions to any visitation restrictions described on this webpage. Those circumstances include religious visitation as well as a designated support person for a patient with a disability to provide assistance with communication or other necessary components of the patient’s treatment. All persons entering under an exception remain subject to appropriate infection control protocols.