HCA Virginia Health System Lifts Flu-Related Visitation Policy  

Salem, VA, March 5, 2009 -- HCA Virginia Health System – including Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Alleghany Regional, Montgomery Regional, and Pulaski Community – has made the decision to remove the restrictive visitation policies that were implemented in October due to widespread H1N1 and seasonal flu.  Effective immediately, patients’ families and other visitors should follow normal hospital visitation guidelines. 

The decision to relax the temporary visitation policy is supported by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). According to the VDH, flu activity is now lower than the levels observed at this time last year for all age groups and all regions of the state. 

“Limiting a patient’s visitors, especially when it involves one’s children, can be difficult on both the family and patient,” says Victor E. Giovanetti, president, HCA Southwest Virginia.  “We are delighted that we can lift this policy and want to thank all members of the community for their cooperation and understanding during the past four months as we took these precautions.” 

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