The latest influenza-like illness (ILI) report from the state health department shows a decrease in flu-like illnesses in our region. As a result, Infection Prevention, in consultation with Mission Health’s Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Public Health Epidemiologist, has decided to stop the visitor restriction policy and implement the visitor limitation policy.
Mission Health asks patients’ family and friends to limit their hospital visits and that visitors younger than 12 and those who do not feel well to call patients rather than visit them in the hospital. You can call (828) 213-1111 and be directed to the patient.
This precaution is being activated at Mission Hospital and Mission Health member hospitals and affiliates in the western North Carolina region. This includes CarePartners in Asheville, McDowell Hospital in Marion, Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, Angel Medical Center in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands.
We urge community members who become ill with symptoms of the flu to contact their primary care provider, seek care at a walk-in clinic like Mission My Care Now, conduct an online visit with a doctor or visit a nearby urgent care facility. It’s important to avoid the emergency department unless there are signs and symptoms of severe illness.
You can help prevent the spread of influenza by practicing frequent hand hygiene, staying home if you are sick and by getting an annual influenza vaccination.
ABOUT MISSION HEALTH
Mission Health, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is the state’s sixth-largest health system. For the fifth time in the past six years, Mission Health has been named one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company and part of IBM Watson Health in 2017. We are the only health system in North Carolina to achieve this recognition. Mission Health operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital, and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. With approximately 12,000 team members and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org or @MissionHealthNC.
