As you may have seen in recent media reports, hospitals across the nation and here in the St. Louis metro area are experiencing an extraordinarily high volume of patients due to respiratory illness and flu-like symptoms.
In order to better meet these increased volumes and provide the exceptional care you expect and deserve, St. Louis Children’s Hospital has implemented several measures for the safety of our patients, families and staff.
 To accommodate the increased patient load in our Emergency Unit, we have constructed two tents in the valet area of our visitor parking garage. These tents will be used to treat Emergency Unit overflow patients. All patients visiting the EU must still be triaged at the existing EU triage desk. From there, it will be decided who will be transferred to the overflow location.
- It has become necessary to limit the number of guests accompanying each child to the Emergency Unit. A child may be accompanied by no more than TWO adults. These restrictions make it possible for us to care for more children.
- We are asking staff who provide direct patient care throughout the hospital – or who work within 6 feet of patients for 10 minutes or more – to wear masks. Influenza is spread by droplets, typically within 6 feet and after prolonged contact with an infected person. The virus is not usually spread at a distance or during short interactions.
- If you have a child or a loved one who is currently an in-patient, please do not visit if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms – including a fever (greater than 100F) along with cough, muscle aches, headache, sore throat or runny nose; please encourage potential visitors to stay home if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms; and consider limiting the number of family or loved ones who visit your child. The risk of spreading the virus increases with more visitors from outside.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this busy time. As always, our guiding principle is to provide the best possible care to our patients and families in a safe and caring environment.
Lee Fetter, President, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
F. Sessions Cole, Chief Medical Officer, St. Louis Children’s
Hospital; Vice President, Pediatrics, Washington
University School of Medicine
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