To protect patients, employees, students and visitors during this unusual flu season, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is changing its visitation policy and will no longer allow visitors aged 12 and younger into John Sealy Hospital and the emergency room.

The policy change goes into effect Nov. 9.

“Our hospital patients are particularly susceptible to complications from influenza and the H1N1 virus is most prevalent in children. Therefore, we want to limit this potential exposure to our hospitalized patients,” said Dr. Steve Quach, interim chief medical officer.

“We care about everyone’s health and we want to make sure that we are taking action to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.”

This new policy applies only to visitors to the hospital or the emergency room.

UTMB will continue to see and treat children as patients seeking health care services.

“Parents must make alternative child care arrangements for children 12 years and younger who are not patients,” Quach emphasized.

In addition, UTMB will be screening adult visitors to its hospital and emergency room.

Visitors experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or fever will be asked to leave.

UTMB will also require patients with flu-like symptoms to wear protective masks to minimize the risk of exposing other patients and health care providers.

This adjustment in UTMB’s visitation policy is subject to change as the flu season develops and will remain in effect until the H1N1 and seasonal flu are no longer a threat to the health of the university’s patients, employees, students and visitors.