Hospitals in our area are joining forces to stop the spread of H1N1 in Lackawanna County.
Community Medical Center is just one of the five hospitals stepping up precautions when it comes to protecting patients from both swine and seasonal flu.
The number of visitors is being restricted and no visitors under the age of 12 are allowed and one hospital has even stronger restrictions for some visitors.
At Moses Taylor Hospital's maternity ward in Scranton visitors might have to wait to meet the newest member of their family until mother and baby leave the hospital.
"A lot of places go to absolutely no visitors. So we kind of feel like we're protecting that family experience, even though it's diminished slightly, but protecting the patient, that's our number one priority," said Beth Lavely of Moses Taylor Hospital.
The hospital is still allowing visitors, but things are much different this year compared to last.
In the labor unit, mom's significant other plus one other visitor are allowed to be with her.
In the post-partum and neo-natal units, it's parents and grandparents only and in pediatrics, only parents are allowed.
Doctor Brian Wilcox said it's for a good reason.
" Pregnant women getting this flu seem to be one of the highest populations for getting extraordinarily sick," said Dr. Wilcox.
It's not only hospitals taking precautions. At Gymboree in Clarks Summit, newborns through five year olds can come and play and take classes.
Since the swine flu outbreak, owners said attendance has taken a slight dip because of concerned parents.
Amy Schuster still comes to Gymboree regularly. She said her one-year-old son, Michael, has been vaccinated.
"We wash our hands and use the sanitizer but I'd be afraid to keep him at home. I don't want to keep him in a bubble. At some point he's going to be exposed. I did talk to the pediatrician about it," Schuster said.
Doctor Wilcox said the swine flu vaccine is the best protection and said it's best if family members get it too, especially for families with newborns.
"If the woman herself is vaccinated but her husband or her children bring the flu home, that baby is going to be potentially susceptible," explained Dr. Wilcox.
Clinics will be held this Wednesday and next Wednesday where swine flu vaccines will be offered to pregnant women only in Lackawanna County. There are at the following locations:
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Physicians Health Alliance location on Quincy Avenue in Scranton.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Physicians Health Alliance location on Adams Avenue in Scranton.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Maternal Health and Family Services on Colfax Avenue in Scranton. This is for members only.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Scranton Primary Health Care on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.
Community Medical Center is just one of the five hospitals stepping up precautions when it comes to protecting patients from both swine and seasonal flu.
The number of visitors is being restricted and no visitors under the age of 12 are allowed and one hospital has even stronger restrictions for some visitors.
At Moses Taylor Hospital's maternity ward in Scranton visitors might have to wait to meet the newest member of their family until mother and baby leave the hospital.
"A lot of places go to absolutely no visitors. So we kind of feel like we're protecting that family experience, even though it's diminished slightly, but protecting the patient, that's our number one priority," said Beth Lavely of Moses Taylor Hospital.
The hospital is still allowing visitors, but things are much different this year compared to last.
In the labor unit, mom's significant other plus one other visitor are allowed to be with her.
In the post-partum and neo-natal units, it's parents and grandparents only and in pediatrics, only parents are allowed.
Doctor Brian Wilcox said it's for a good reason.
" Pregnant women getting this flu seem to be one of the highest populations for getting extraordinarily sick," said Dr. Wilcox.
It's not only hospitals taking precautions. At Gymboree in Clarks Summit, newborns through five year olds can come and play and take classes.
Since the swine flu outbreak, owners said attendance has taken a slight dip because of concerned parents.
Amy Schuster still comes to Gymboree regularly. She said her one-year-old son, Michael, has been vaccinated.
"We wash our hands and use the sanitizer but I'd be afraid to keep him at home. I don't want to keep him in a bubble. At some point he's going to be exposed. I did talk to the pediatrician about it," Schuster said.
Doctor Wilcox said the swine flu vaccine is the best protection and said it's best if family members get it too, especially for families with newborns.
"If the woman herself is vaccinated but her husband or her children bring the flu home, that baby is going to be potentially susceptible," explained Dr. Wilcox.
Clinics will be held this Wednesday and next Wednesday where swine flu vaccines will be offered to pregnant women only in Lackawanna County. There are at the following locations:
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Physicians Health Alliance location on Quincy Avenue in Scranton.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Physicians Health Alliance location on Adams Avenue in Scranton.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Maternal Health and Family Services on Colfax Avenue in Scranton. This is for members only.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Scranton Primary Health Care on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.
