" That is not a wise thing to do. If a child's parent is in the hospital try telling that child he/she cannot see them. Or let's say that ralative is about to pass and that would be the child last time see them. "

" This is ridiculous! I understand the purpose of this new rule but you are telling me that my 10 year old can't see her dying g-ma in the hospital to say good bye - or that a little one can't go see her newborn little brother or sister? Is it too much to ask for some common sense and compassion?! "

" Please tell me this is temporary because of the flu outbreak! Or atleast give us some more information as to whether there will be certain circumstances where they would be permitted, such as, the birth of a sibling, dying parent or grandparent, or just a sick parent. This is just another reason that I would be taking my business elsewhere. "

" Disinfect dont quarantine! "

" I am sure there are exceptions if you are saying Goodbye to loved one dying.
They used to have the rule anyway, years ago you couldn't go to hospital to see your parent or whomever if you weren't 16, thats just the way it was. "

" If this is temporary, for the H1N1 I get it, BUT my husband is in the hospital and I doubt very much you are going to tell his 6 year old daughter that she cant come see her daddy for the three days he will be there. She has pictures to color and hand out! "

" New rules are made by people sitting around all day with nothing better to do.
Next thing you know a person will actually have to have money to get waited on there. "

" I must say they are wasting their time with this new rule. The best they should hope for is having a limit to how many can be in the room at a time.

I know ADULTS that don't even bother washing their hands, let alone kids.

There should also be some special arrangements (which they may have) for those losing family members or coming close to it while admitted there.

Require a mask if they are so worried, and have someone sitting at doorways demanding that visitors use sanitizers before going any further into hosp. You can tell if someone LOOKS like they have a cold or flu....stop them there. "

" Then there should be doctors offices to go to for people like me with sever immune problems.

I always catch a cold or the flu from going to the docs office for a checkup due to all the little running nosed kids there in the waiting room.

A cold or the flu easily turns into pneumonia for many like me, but what choice do we have? Doctors don't make house calls anymore. "

" I called the hospital and am waiting for somone to call me back and let me know if there are any exceptions. I did find out this is a permant change to policy however. I will post any "exceptions" that are allowed as soon as I hear anything. The paper should have done a more through job of telling us all of the information.

I do agree with the comments posted that it will be hard if there is a new sibling or a dying relative or sick parent, making use of masks and hand sanitizer but I have to wonder what prompted this sudden change. I know for me as a single mom with my family three hours away this will be a huge challenge if myself or one of my kids ends up in the hopsital. Im going to have to beg and plead to have somone take time off their job make the drive to stay with my other child or with both of my children if I end up there. "

" Carle hospital already has this policy in effect! I gave birth there last week. Our 6 year old was not allowed to visit me or the new baby. I am not outraged. I'm glad they checked everyone's temperature and symptoms before allowing them to enter the l&d floor. This kept myself and my new baby safe and healthy! "

" what a bunch of crapola "

" IMHO what SBLH needs to do is upgrade their hospital and put in all private rooms. This would greatly help with a number of issues including disease transmission. "

" opinionated wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:50 AM:

" Disinfect dont quarantine! "

Kind of hard to disifect carriers.


STRANGER~ wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:37 AM:

" New rules are made by people sitting around all day with nothing better to do.
Next thing you know a person will actually have to have money to get waited on there. "

I remember when it cost extra for a television. Now they have them in ER rooms, which was a great idea. "

" I thought this antiquated rule was done away with 40 years ago! It's ridiculous!Sometimes those visits from the little ones do a lot to perk up a sick person.

I do think though if young children are allowed in, parents MUST keep them as quiet as possible so as not to disturb not only the ones they are visiting but other patients as well. "

" I live over 1000 miles from Mattoon, and this has been standing procedure, at all Hospitals here for at least 3-4 months.....Good or Bad, I think it's here to stay until they get H1N1 under control... "

" I forgot to mention, within the county I live in, we have had 6 people die of H1N1 Swine Flu, and all were under the age of 19.

I think the Hospitals are trying to protect the young, and also making sure they cover their behinds legally.

It's always Dollars and Sense... "

" I have been critical of SBLHC on several occasions, but I think this was a good call. If it were permanent, I wouldn't agree but with the current epidemic, I think this was a wise decision. "

" Thanks to Mama says, i can't stop callin it the hiney flu. "

" If ignorant parents could keep their children from running up and down the halls, it might help!

Will they call the cops if you refuse to leave with your child? "

" I did speak to a person from the hospital who was very helpful and polite, and here is what I was told: I'm paraphrasing this is not word for word... " exceptions can and will be made such as if a relative is dying, and exceptions can be decided on a case by case basis. But we want to keep exceptions to a minimum. We are implementing this policy to protect our paitents from possible infection as well as protecting visiting children from potential risks such as pnemonia and such." "This policy is also in effect in many hospitals across the country and we want to make ever possible effort to protect everyone from illness"

After I spoke to the person at the hospital I am inclined to agree with Danny I do think that this is being done to protect people not only from illness but from suing the hosptial if they pick up a "secondary infection" from a visiting child who happens to be sick. "

" I agree with this new policy. Aside from the infection issue (of the patients as well as the children visiting), I'm sure the LAST thing someone who is healing in a hospital needs is to have to endure other people's children and grandchildren screaming their lungs out and running rampant. Most parents these days are totally blind and deaf to whatever their "centers of the universe" are inflicting on others. "

" OK HP, I can see it while a flu outbreak or infectious disease is going around. I'm with you though, I wouldn't like to see it as a permanent arrangement. "

" The hospital has had signs for many years stating that visitors must be 12. I have lived many different places across this country and others, and this rule has been common place at all these places. So why are you crying about 4 years. They are not preventing your children from seeing there dying Grandma, just trying to limit the number of people in the building, and the amount of time spent there. "

" Jim1969 wrote on Nov 4, 2009 12:57 PM:

" IMHO what SBLH needs to do is upgrade their hospital and put in all private rooms. This would greatly help with a number of issues including disease transmission. "

Private rooms are are in the plans, might take a couple years though. "

" If Mattoon SBL starts making men strip and being disinfected, I am applying for that job. hehe. Son wants to disinfect females ages 16 to 25, and ex
wants 25 and older. Right there be three more full time persons with jobs.
When in hospital, however, there were childen 4 to 9 visiting grandmother in next bed, and two were unruly. I am sure arrangements for finality visiting will be offered. "

" It NEVER ceases to amaze me how many complaints pour in over any given subject! A positive comment is SO hard to find! "

" Now I am sorry, I am going to have to disagree with this for a reason. I am a single parent. Have no family in town here. Now god forbid, if I end up in the hospital for any reason, say for two weeks. They are not going to keep my 12 year son from seeing me. I am sorry but that is wrong. Now if my son is sick, no I would not let him see me. I have common since, like some people don't. But come on, a friend of my bring my son in, are they going to say "no son, you cannot see your mom". And if he refuses, what are they going to do, arrest a child because they want to see their parent. I can understand if this is a temporary thing, but they way they are saying, it's not. Their are adults that go in sick and do not keep themselves very sanitary. Not just kids. "

" I think this NEW policy should make us all feel a bit safer when having to deal with SBLHCS. For the huge amounts of money the Health System rakes in, I think that, I feel it is about time the Health Care workers finally decided to do something additional, as mentioned in the article, to help control contagon in such public & often used areas. Thanks for giving back. With the opportunity to make hand sanitizer etc. available to those of us who wish to remain disease free while doing corporal works of mercy, perhaps now more people will resolve their obligations to volunteer their time. May God Bless You for your efforts at more stringent standards. "

" Wonder if any 14 or 15 year olds will file age discrimination lawsuits? "

" Will they call the cops if you refuse to leave with your child?

They'll have you arrested anytime they ask you to leave and you don't, as well they should. I remember years ago not being able to visit mom at the old Memorial Hospital because I was under 12. This is not a new rule, but it is a good one. "

" I agree, with this terrible flu that is raging across this country. However, I find my self wondering what ever happened to the rules in years past. When I was a youngster the minimum age limit for visiting a hospital was 12. "

" Medic57 wrote:
They'll have you arrested anytime they ask you to leave and you don't, as well they should.

I highly doubt that. They will more than likely have their security come and escort you out if there is a real danger. If someone is so adamant about seeing someone that they would carry it that far I am sure that would be their exception. If someone came in visibly severely ill then yes, I could see them using force. But to say you would be arrested for refusing is going a bit far Medic. lol "

" I must know....Mama are you really out there somewhere??? Do you speak in this cajun style tongue to your family??? I'd love to actually have a phone conversation with you just to know what kind of mold god broke when he made you. "

" I think it is a great idea...People that are seiously ill, for example leukemia, come to the hospital to get better. If they are exposed to any other medical issue during their stay, due to the fact their immune system is lowered, is that fair to the customer? I grow tired of seeing five to ten children under the age of sixteen running through the hospital like it is a McDonald's playland. A hospital is not a resort, it is a place for one to go to improve their health, not a YMCA "

" I would also like to mention, I have read several of the responses. That is right I read the responses. So for all the people who are unable to interpret the article feel free to ask someone else, or quite possibly give it time for your brain to absorb the information before posting a comment, before you come across to others as an imbecile. "

" jdf9776 wrote on Nov 5, 2009 5:15 AM:


"Now I am sorry, I am going to have to disagree with this for a reason. I am a single parent. Have no family in town here. Now god forbid, if I end up in the hospital for any reason, say for two weeks. They are not going to keep my 12 year son from seeing me. I am sorry but that is wrong. Now if my son is sick, no I would not let him see me. I have common since, like some people don't. But come on, a friend of my bring my son in, are they going to say "no son, you cannot see your mom". And if he refuses, what are they going to do, arrest a child because they want to see their parent. I can understand if this is a temporary thing, but they way they are saying, it's not. Their are adults that go in sick and do not keep themselves very sanitary. Not just kids."

.......

Excellant post, jdf!

Loxa General continues with its sheep practices & its cold-hearted family plan.

Hey, here's a novel idea! How about actually taking care of the morons & idiots, themselves, instead of making everyone pay the price?

I'd also like to see an answer to jdf's statement. How about single parents, with no family in the area? Are they going to deny the child visiting rights to their only blood relative?

Personally, I think this is a bunch of BS, & some heads need to roll, & some need to be 86'd out there.

If I was in Loxa General, & my "healthy" child wasn't able to see me, I'd say sign my arse out, I'll take my chances on the street, or I'm going elsewhere - somewhere where there isn't any kool-aid drinkin sheep. "

" Perhaps it would also help to make employees stay home when THEY are sick? It might also help to put cameras near disinfectant machines to see just how many times it is used in the room compared to how many times a nurse/cp/sp are in the room. I think they will find the REAL reason germs are spread. "

" I think that this is a great idea. I was recently a patient at SBL and I could not rest for the children, (that could not behave), throwing some sort of fit in another patients room. Alot of people come out to the hospital with good intentions of visiting their friends or family. Ofcourse, exceptions should be made while visiting a terminal patient to say goodbye. I don't think that is the problem. The problem is that for some people, it is a place to go. Please do the patients a favor and leave the kids at home. It is a great thing to have someone from your family there for support, but do you need to have all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins there all at once for a routine visit? Come on people. "

" I agree with the new rule. Exceptions can always be made and will. A child seing his mother and new Sibling after the birth, a dying parent or grandparent are the exceptions that most would argue. But like many previous posts...Parents will and should be expected to repect others and keep there kids by their sides. Anything less than this they should be escorted out the front door.

Maybe there could be a playroom on the first floor (supervised) to accomidate the patients and visitors needs. Of course signing in the room # and patient would be a requirement, with a 20 minute limit on the visit. (THIS WOULD NOT BE DAYCARE) just an accomidation.

I also do agree on this rule for all of the above. Safety of the patients, safety of the children, and CYA of the hospital. "

" Billie Brant wrote on Nov 4, 2009 2:08 PM:


"I thought this antiquated rule was done away with 40 years ago! It's ridiculous!Sometimes those visits from the little ones do a lot to perk up a sick person.

I do think though if young children are allowed in, parents MUST keep them as quiet as possible so as not to disturb not only the ones they are visiting but other patients as well."

.......

Amen, Sister!! "

" Peter_Venkman wrote on Nov 5, 2009 9:16 AM:
" I must know....Mama are you really out there somewhere??? Do you speak in this cajun style tongue to your family??? I'd love to actually have a phone conversation with you just to know what kind of mold god broke when he made you.

Ain't Mama a peach! Love her! She cuts through the BS and gets down to good old common sense. Love ya Mama! "

" They are not going to keep my 12 year son from seeing me.

Ok!

But to say you would be arrested for refusing is going a bit far Medic. lol

Call them up and ask them. "

" Parents and critics... take time to process this new policy.
1. There WILL be exceptions for your dying grandma.
2. This is a common policy with hospitals. go here http://tinyurl.com/yagvgqg
3. SBLHC has future plans for private rooms because that is a desire of the patients.
4. SBLHC is first concerned about your health, not free reign visitation rights.
5. You should WANT to keep your kids from the halls of a hospital in these times. It's safer for everyone.

I'm glad they are looking out for my best interests. I wish you could see through your critical lenses and see that someone is trying to prevent more germs form spreading.

SBLHC: Thanks for taking the necessary steps of protection for our community. "

" Very young children do not belong in the hospital as visitors. There are many diseases they can catch there, sometimes just by touching contaminated items in the rooms they are visiting in. The new policy is not unique to SBLHC; it is happening all over the area. Most people know that the H1N1 flu is affecting the school aged children more than it is the older people in the country. So the hospitals are trying to protect the patients they are getting paid to protect - the patient! They should be congratulated for being proactive in trying to prevent further bodily insult to their patients.
Elderly or ill people are more likely to die from this flu than those people who are healthy and contract it. If that's what you would like to happen for your loved one, than go ahead and challenge the hospitals policy.
Years ago there were more stringent visiting policies and they were there for a reason. It was much more restful for the patient who did not have a steady stream of company in their rooms while they were trying to recover from surgery or illness.
I do hope the hospital will comply with speical requests and circumstances when it involves visitors who are under age but for now, with the flu rampant in our schools, I am glad they are protecting their patients. "

" Yes, Mama is the REAL THING BABY.
I talk like a cajun, have sense of humor like Roseanne, and people guess if black, oriental, or cajun. I have to laugh, because all are close to it.
Did a background check, man our family loved everyone. hehe. I love all people regardless of race, religion, beliefs.
I have two tattoos at age 55 and no you can't see them, But will be the talk of the nursing home one day. *SMILE.
I love all on the comments. Makes life interesting know what others do think.
Let Mama wrap her arms around you for a MAMA BIG HUG.

Oh and kids can call on phone and talk to relatives which is safer for all. "

" MattoonVoice Im not against this policy because I can see the sense in it in order to protect not only the paitents but the visitors. I do think though that for many of us single parents like myself it is going to be difficult juggling act if one child is in the hospital and there is no one to take care of the other child or children in the family, or the parent themselves is the one in the hospital. I also understand what was being said by JDF, when you're the only parent your child has its very hard when your child can't see you because your child feels like you are all they have. Not all of us are lucky enough to have family/freinds close by that will help out when needed, all of mine are three hours away. I'd really be stuck in a tough spot ( but I'd manage somehow)

I did post about my conversation with the hosptial personal, they will make exceptions they are trying to keep those exceptions to a minimum though. As Catlover said school kids are really being the hardest hit by the H1N1 virus. I understand wanting kids to see parents, grandparents etc but often times little kids are sick, they usually need to be told to cover their noses, mouths and such when sneezing/ coughing ( so do some adults for that matter) but kids also have short attention spans they grow bored easily, then they want to run around playing and making noise and while that "playroom" may be a good "idea in theory" I couldn't see it working, because if you get one to many kids in there it would be noisy not to mention who would pick up the mess made by dragging out the toys and such? Then there is always the chance of getting people who wouldn't watch the kids but just tell them to "go play in the playroom while I visit so and so" People are in a hosptial because they are sick and need rest, its not a place for kids to run around playing and yes most of us know this but there are those folks who don't seem to consider this fact. I also like the fact that the hosptial wants to limit the number of people that go with someone to an Emergency Room Visit. Its irritating when there are 15 or 20 people in the waiting area for the ER when only 6 or so of them are the actual paitents. Take the paitent and one or two people with them that is plenty. ( more people generally means more noise and less seating ) "

" I always thought Mama was a funny troll. "

" So, If my wife has an accident and ends up at loxa general. I WILL bring our children (ages 2 and 4) to see their MOTHER. If they decide to DISCRIMINATE against my children because of their ages I will be very outspoken. Then WE will continue on our journey to mommys room. If they decide to persue the nonsense I will ask for the administrator of the hospital and will make them explain to our children why they cant see mommy. Any moron can issue a press release or tell the newspaper about a new rule, but I bet pennies to pesos that they will pass the buck or squirm like worms when being told to enforce their own rule to a small child. They can arrest me if they want, or try to escort me out, but if someone lays a finger on one of my children in the process they will be glad they are already at the hospital. "

" They can arrest me if they want, or try to escort me out.

They won't try to escort you out, they will escort you out. Go ahead, cause a ruckus at the hospital, see where you end up. "

" Loki I can understand your feelings about wanting your kids to see their mom, but if you go in there and act as though the rule does not apply to you and push your way through it and the hosptial staff the way you describe in your post you're not going to help anyone, in fact you may just ruin it for anyone to ever have any type of "exception" allowed for ANY Child under the age of 16 to ever be allowed to visit!! How hard is it to follow a rule?? We don't have to like the rules of a given place but they exist for a reason. I may not like this rule either but I will follow it and if I want an "exception" to be made the way I will get one granted is by being polite, courteous and respetful not by being a bully!! All that does is ruin it for everyone else! As my Grandma used to say " you catch more flies with honey that vinegar"

I personally am tired of following the rules and doing "the right thing" only to have things ruined for me (and countless others) by those who cannot , do not or will not for whatever reason follow the rules and respect them. You don't only hurt yourself, you are hurting countless, others and their families because you do not wish to respect and follow something that is there for a reason.

Hospitals across the country are doing this for the reasons listed in this article the health of their paitents as well as the visiting children to the hosptial. I am betting that someone, at some hosptial someplace has gotten a secondary infection from a sick child visiting the hospital and sued the hospital and won, or somone's child has gotten sick with something sued the hosptial and won.

I am a single parent and like another single parent posted here this rule is going to create a juggling act for me but I intend to respect this rule and if I don't like it I am free to find another hospital that does not have such a rule in force and from what I am understanding more and more hospitals in the nation are doing exactly this for the protection of their patients as well as those who visit. Why is that so hard to understand?? "

" I too love Mama. Mama thank you for mentioning Roseanne I love her sense of humor and I knew you reminded me of someone and I could not place who! Roseanne is it! Mama don't listen to those who criticize I love how you lay your cards on the table and give it to people straight! You're great Mama. "

" Been told even look somewhat like Roseanne and she's not a troll, hehe.
Thanks devilsangels, I am a fan of yours, HP, and lots others. I also am a fan of Herb and Penny, sending columns to sister who shares with the locals where she lives. AND Penny has a lot of fans there also. When know something FOR SURE, I am straight shooter and tell others so will know.
Keep childen safe, love your childen no matter what and be there for them. We have done that for childen, and when growup have said BEING THERE, HUGGING THEM, SHOWING YOU CARE went longway to help them. But there are some no one can help.

When son was age 2 1/2 he went to see his grandpa and the nursing home not believe how well behaved. We took along coloring books, his big pencil and paper, childrens books, and some games he could play and not knock someone in the head. He was always good and feel so blessed he is still good and works and loves his MAMA.
Your children will LOVE you when let them know how special are to you. Keep loving your kids angels and all. They are only ON LOAN TO US IN LIFE. Treat them like the treasures are, even when are BAD. GIVE THOSE MAMA HUGS. We went for gasoline in other town as on a little trip, and fella in the station wanted mama's phone number and if single. So must not look like a TROLL, hehe. Son said to the guy, CAN'T TAKE HER ANYWHERE guys ask ARE YOU SINGLE?
Now you know the rest of the story, hehe. He even has a brother for you, Penny, if reading this comment. hehe.
No one hurts my feelings as laugh about a lot of comments, and don't take things seriously when comes to about me.
((((((((GROUP HUG FROM MAMA))))))))))) "

" Where did I say i didnt understand the "rule"? I would have no objections to having my kids wear masks. Yes my children are well behaved and if they act up we would leave. I never said the rules dont apply to me. Please show me in my last post where I used those words. As far as "They won't try to escort you out, they will escort you out. Go ahead, cause a ruckus at the hospital, see where you ", I have seen the rent-a-cops at LG call for county backup for an uruly lady they couldnt handle. They can tell me that if I am sick I shouldnt be visiting, but when people pick on perfectly healthy children for self gratification it really pulls my trigger. Will the gestapo at LG go on record saying that they will personally explain to my 4 year old daughter why they wont let her see her mommy? Let me answer that now. NO! They will hide behind their desks saying how much they care about their patients (money) while doing everything possible to keep the family (non patient/paying) from coming in. They will tell parents they cant see their children, then on the way out hand them a bill and a cup that says "This is MY Hospital". Well guess what? If its MY hospital, Im gonna take my children to see their mommy, grandma, aunt, grandpa, cousin, uncle if I want to! If I take my kids somewhere I know that there are sick people and they get sick, SHAME ON ME! I know sick people are in the hospital, thats where they belong! I know, I know, big brother says its for the greater good, making a patients stay even more disheartening must be a better treatment. OH, and by the way, Why in the world would I even want to catch flies? "

" I agree that SBLHC needs to take a look at their own employees. I was out there sick once and the nurse caring for me didn't even wash her hands before checking me and setting up a breathing treatment. Of course I told her to!

Had a c-section out there and same thing happened before the nurse was going to check my incision. I told her to wash her hands too. In both of these instances, they didn't wash their hands before leaving my room! It's the staff that causes staph infection. "

" prairieguy wrote on Nov 4, 2009

..... Most parents these days are totally blind and deaf to whatever their "centers of the universe" are inflicting on others.


I don't think most parents allow that sort of behaivor, but there certainly are too many that do. You see it all the time in the grocery stores, the local Walmart and the mall. I would think the last place you would want to see this is at the local hospital. "

" SBLHC has wireless service available for guests, so if you have a laptop with camera, hooked up to MSN Messenger with headset, you could talk & see patients. Maybe the hospital could provide a laptop for this purpose to patients and another computer in waiting area, so younger children could still talk & see their loved ones. "

" Loki apprantly you need to have things explained to you.. ( sighs ) you never "used the words" you didn't understand or think the rules don't apply to you but that is how your post comes across!! You come across acting like Jesse James going into a shoot out at the OK Corral with Wyatt Eayrp saying "if I want to take my kids into the hosptial to see their mom I will do so" The expression of "catching flies" is an expresion, it means you get what you want faster if you are polite and such rather than just bullying your way through situations.

Statments like this: "If its MY hospital, Im gonna take my children to see their mommy, grandma, aunt, grandpa, cousin, uncle if I want to!"

Demonstrate that you 1. either don't think rules apply to you, or 2. don't understand the rules or the reason for them. I hope that clarifies things or explains things for you so that you understand them.

And just so you know no one is "picking on innocent children" The hosptial is full of sick people which you do seem to understand ( or so you say) as the article said children often have runny noses, coughs, sore throats and such. This is not being done to pick on kids but to stop the spread of germs and secondary infection. I do not understand why you cannot seem get it into your head that you should obey the rule and ask if an exception could be made, rather than coming across in posts with the mentality of "Im going to do what I want to and to heck with the rules"

Again in your words: "If its MY hospital, Im gonna take my children to see their mommy, grandma, aunt, grandpa, cousin, uncle if I want to!" "

" The web cam chat is a good idea, also could talk on the phone to mom dad or whoever, and most cell phones today do have the ability to take pictures.

Thanks Mama I am honored you are a fan of mine.. ( blushes)

I was grossed out to see about staff not washing hands just eww! Even Hand Sanatizer is ok anything just do something to kill those germs!! "

" LOKI wrote:

" Where did I say i didnt understand the "rule"?
You didn't say that. But what you did say was you wouldn't abide by the "rule". And guess what? You would be escorted out or arrested, whichever you prefer. And then if it's "mommy" in the hospital you were going to see, while you are in jail the little darlings will be in custody of child services. Not good. Hopefully you won't cause that kind of "rukus" as you call it. I can't see it turning out in your favor. And yes, Coles County Sheriffs Department would be called on you, depending on how much of a "rukus" you cause. If they get called there will more than likely be charges filed.
Is that what you want to teach your children that rules only apply to others? You say your children behave well, do you? Doesn't sound like it.

I replied to medic earlier that I doubt you would be arrested if you didn't abide by the rule. Well, let me re-phrase that, you would be told, and depending on your attitude you will either be denied access with your children or you will be the exception if you have a valid request. But if you are denied and you cause a scene, you will be arrested. "

" Tamih, I like your suggestion about the hospital providing the technology (in the main waiting room and a designated area for patients to go to, or a mobile cart that staff could push into a patient's room) for a "virtual" visit with those too young to come to a patient's room

Loki, the hospital has never allowed visitation for those under 12; they've just raised the age to 16, as it used to be back in the day (and back when more children were better behaved then they are today, so behavior alone isn't the reason for the policy, obviously).

On one level, we should count ourselves lucky -- the hospitals in Springfield just switched their visitation policy to age 18 or above.

I think devilishangel makes a good point, too, that if too many people go into the hospital with an "I'd-like-to-see-them-try-to-stop-me" attitude, the likelihood is that hospital officials with be extremely stingy at granting exceptions, or they won't grant any at all.

When I was born (mid-1960's) my mom had sterilization surgery at the same time and the hospital kept both her and me there for nearly a week. None of my younger siblings, aged 4.75 all the way up to 13.5, could see me or Mom. Mom would go to her room window and wave down to the kids, and they exchanged lots of precious cards and letters via my dad, all of which were kept in my babybook. It doesn't sound like anyone really suffered or parent-child or baby sibling-older sibling bonds weren't hindered in forming. We're all so impatient as a society today that the thought of chldren having to wait a day or a week for something is more than most parents want to accept. As long as they grant exceptions in case of a dying loved one, or other extreme circumstances, what's the harm? And maybe a lot of good comes from it, in terms of illness prevention. "

" Hey LOKI,,,,why don't you call the Ilinois Department of Health and ask them who suggested to SBL that this needed to be done. Do your homework before you start ranting. Buy the way, the hospital isn't a place for children unless they are sick, going to the Dr, or visiting new sibling and mom,dad that is sick, or terminal family member. I know that times are hard, and there is noplace to go,,,,maybe you could take your kids to the mall? "

" I have a question on the "virtual" visits and the cart going from room to room. Who is going to sterilize the equipment between each use? If they are keeping people out due to the spread of germs, why in the world would they want to pass a computer between rooms. Kind of defeats the purpose of keeping the spreading of germs down. "

" I have been at SBLHCC for the last three days, and it doesn't seem like it's being enforced. On the 4th floor there is kids in waiting room.. And my roommates family brought in a 2yr. old. My family member had surgery and didn't need a toddler in the room. I feel if your in the hospital you are there for a reason....your sick. Keep the kids home. Especially during flu season "

" mom of twins wrote on Nov 6, 2009 4:57 PM:

" Hey LOKI,,,,why don't you call the Ilinois Department of Health and ask them who suggested to SBL that this needed to be done. Do your homework before you start ranting. Buy the way, the hospital isn't a place for children unless they are sick, going to the Dr, or visiting new sibling and mom,dad that is sick, or terminal family member. I know that times are hard, and there is noplace to go,,,,maybe you could take your kids to the mall? "..........Ok so children shouldnt be at the hospital but they can visit family in the hospital? Maybe you should read what you write before posting it. You ran that in a circle for sure! Why would I take them to the mall? According to the bush that is going to expose them to all the dangerous children not allowed in the hospital!............. devilishangel61401 wrote on Nov 6, 2009 12:04 PM:

" Loki apprantly you need to have things explained to you.. ( sighs ) you never "used the words" you didn't understand or think the rules don't apply to you but that is how your post comes across!! You come across acting like Jesse James going into a shoot out at the OK Corral with Wyatt Eayrp saying "if I want to take my kids into the hosptial to see their mom I will do so" The expression of "catching flies" is an expresion, it means you get what you want faster if you are polite and such rather than just bullying your way through situations.

Statments like this: "If its MY hospital, Im gonna take my children to see their mommy, grandma, aunt, grandpa, cousin, uncle if I want to!"

Demonstrate that you 1. either don't think rules apply to you, or 2. don't understand the rules or the reason for them. I hope that clarifies things or explains things for you so that you understand them.

And just so you know no one is "picking on innocent children" The hosptial is full of sick people which you do seem to understand ( or so you say) as the article said children often have runny noses, coughs, sore throats and such. This is not being done to pick on kids but to stop the spread of germs and secondary infection. I do not understand why you cannot seem get it into your head that you should obey the rule and ask if an exception could be made, rather than coming across in posts with the mentality of "Im going to do what I want to and to heck with the rules"

Again in your words: "If its MY hospital, Im gonna take my children to see their mommy, grandma, aunt, grandpa, cousin, uncle if I want to!" "

.......If I never said those words then you could have saved yourself some typing and simply said you were basing your posts on assumptions and the way you percieve things. Yes I said that, the reason being is you constantly say I dont get it or dont understand or dont think the rules apply to me. Do you even read the posts on here? I also said I wouldnt have a problem having my children wear masks (those are precautionary measures by the way, designed to help protect the person wearing it and the person being seen). Personally im worried a bit for you, Do these Jesse James delusions happen often? And yes I know what an EXPRESSION is, perhaps sarcasm was a bit over some peoples heads, Im sorry for confusing you...............hahvahd wrote on Nov 6, 2009 4:46 PM:


"Loki, the hospital has never allowed visitation for those under 12;".... Well maybe not for you! Why just a few months ago grandma was in there (stroke) and my daughter(three at the time) wanted to see her on our way home. We drove our happy rears out there. It was later in the evening and the doors were locked so we had to go through emergency. I walked in carrying my daughter(obviously not 12) and asked the lady at the desk to page a night guard for visitor registration. She did so. The guard arrived, asked my first initial and last name, what room number I was visiting and gave us both stickers to wear(he even gave her one that matched the color of her favorite shirt she was wearing, and never asked the name of the patient or relation to).He then swiped his nametag to release the maglock and said have a good evening, didnt even follow us or ask her age(again obviously not 12) once reaching our destination the nurses and staff enjoyed watching her take her grandmas hand and walk her around the floor so she could get better and come home. We were out there every day grandma was sometimes with both children at different hours of the day/night and not a single person said to take the disease carrying children under 12 out of the facility. So evedently the staff wasnt aware of the "rule" either! Heck, the kitchen staff even gave her an extra tray from the cart so she could eat the same thing as granny. Same situation when mommy was recovering from surgery, noone said a word and the children would sit on the bed with her and watch spongebob while coloring pictures. Never allowed, Ive never seen it! "

" innocent, I see your point about the cart, but doubt it would cause more transfer of germs than stationary equipment; it would just be more convenient for patient use. I'm guessing that really sick patients wouldn't be using the equipment anyway, or the staff could more easily restrict the mobile equipment from someone contagious than they could with the stationary equipment -- a determined patient could just walk down to wherever it's kept.

At EIU they're controlling the spread of flu in the computer labs by having students sanitize their hands before using the equipment and then wiping down the keyboard and mouse before and after each use. A similar process could be followed at SBLHC, and patients could take charge of keeping themselves safe instead of relying on someone else to do it for them. "

" Gee LOKI I thought maybe you wrote Little Red Riding Hood but you were RED and gonna blowdown the hospital. I don't think you meant it to sound like it came off sounding. I know, sometimes one writes faster than the brain and once posted, do an OH NO.
WHAT if took kids into hospital, and kids caught something and died? That could happen. An ounce of prevention is good, as the saying goes.
May the children survive in spite of SOME PARENTS. Not aimed at you LOKI, just those who don't follow the rules. "

" What is the big deal about a new rule or an old one reinstated? All of our lives we must follow rules whether we like them or not. No one said we would always be happy about everything in life. Send a card or pick up the phone and call the patient, if they happen to be too sick for a call, then they are too sick for a visit. "

" If you want to get sick, go to the hospital, thats where all the sick people are......You'll have a better chance of catching something there, than anywhere else.....Common sense...Geez, keeps the kids out to , keep them from "catching", or "giving" a virus..........Thats just my opinion, but then again I could be "right". "

" The couple of times I was in the Hospital with Pancreatitas, I wanted nothing to do with any visitors, uder 16, or over. "

" I've worked at Sarah Bush for over 20 years and I've seen parents who bring their small children in to visit someone, and while mom and/or dad are visiting, these children get bored and they throw fits, run the halls, or joy ride up and down in the elevators. There are other patients in the hospital who are trying to get well and they DO NOT want to listen to someones child being loud and disruptive. Another issue is hospitals have germs that kill NORMAL HEALTHY ADULTS, why would you subject your children whose immune systems are not fully developed to such an environment? It is not a matter of keeping the environment clean. The sickest people in any community come into the hospital with all of their germs and drug resistant infections. Why would you willingly take your children into such an environment unless they are a patient and need to be there. It makes no sense to me!! "

" I think this is a great idea especially during the H1N1 outbreak going on right now! I wouldnt want my daughter to even step foot on a patient floor right now. H1N1 is not killing adults, its killing CHILDREN! I think the fact that people are being told they cant do something is what is making them outraged, but this is definately a great rule to protect the patients and honestly the kids moreso. I agree that there will be and should be exceptions to this rule...and I hope that the hospital doesnt give in too easy to every situation. "

" Hey LOKI, I guess that if you dont like the way that Sarah Bush is trying to limit visits of the 16 and under crowd, then go to Carle Clinic,,,oh wait, they have the same rule. Round and Round she goes!!! LOL!!! "