Increase of Respiratory Illnesses Cause Temporary Visitation Restrictions at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Due to the increased level of respiratory viruses being seen in the community, Phoenix Children’s Hospital implemented temporary visitor restrictions effective Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at 5 a.m. Visitation restrictions apply to all Phoenix Children’s patient care areas.
If you are visiting a child in the hospital, child visitors must be at least 12 years old to visit patients, and all visitors must be free from respiratory symptoms. These restrictions only apply to visitors, not Phoenix Children’s patients presenting in the Emergency Department or patients seeking medical care.
“Even simple colds can be life-threatening for hospitalized children who may have other serious health problems,” explains Scott Ostdiek, MD, Medical Director, Infection Prevention & Control Department at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Young children are not as careful with hand-washing and other measures that help prevent the spread of infections.”
Symptoms of respiratory virus may include fever, coughing, labored breathing, wheezing, and nasal congestion. Respiratory viruses are the leading cause of lower respiratory tract disease in young children and the leading cause of death among low-birth-weight babies.
Learn about respiratory viruses
About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Visitor Restriction Guidelines
During Respiratory Virus Restrictions, visitors must be at least 12 years old to visit with patients that are hospitalized.
- Children less than 12 years old are not allowed past the cafeteria on the first floor.
- Children less than 12 years old are not allowed past the 2nd floor clinics in the Main Tower.
- Children less than 12 years old are not allowed past the Emily Center in the East Tower.
- Children are to be supervised by an adult at all times.
- Signage is posted at all hospital entrances with visitor information.
- Educational handouts for families and visitors are available in patient care areas and at visitor check-in desks.
Download the handouts
Visitor Guidelines (English version)
Visitor Guidelines (Spanish version)
About Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital, ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals, is Arizona’s only licensed children’s hospital, providing world-class care in more than 40 pediatric specialties to children from throughout the state and region. Phoenix Children’s is in the midst of a major expansion to meet the needs of the Southwest’s rapid population growth. The signature element of the expansion is a new 11-story, 750,000-square-foot tower which will enable the hospital to grow from 426 licensed beds today to a total of 626 licensed beds once the project is complete. The hospital’s expansion also includes an aggressive physician recruitment effort and new satellite centers in high growth areas of the Valley. For more information, visit the hospital’s web site at www.phoenixchildrens.com.
Media Contact:
Allison Otu
602-933-0824
