Scripps Hospitals Screen Visitors to Protect Patients Against Flu

Scripps Health’s decision to take precautions to protect patients against the rise in flu cases across the region has caught the attention of the local news media in recent days.

In an effort to lower the risk of infection, Scripps Health has put temporary visitor restrictions in place at its five hospital campuses in San Diego County, effective Monday, Jan. 12.

“(Visitors) will be screened, they’ll be asked who they’re going to visit,” James LaBelle, MD, chief medical officer at Scripps Health, told several reporters at an impromptu press conference on Friday. “If they have symptoms of illness, they’ll be asked to not enter the facility for the safety of the patients,” Dr. LaBelle said.

Watch TV news coverage on Fox 5 News: Scripps hospitals taking precautions to protect patients against spread of the flu.

Watch the News 8 segment: Hospital visits restricted to help stop the flu from spreading

View the Fox 5 San Diego story: Scripps hospitals temporarily limit visitors

Watch coverage from NBC 7/39: Scripps to Restrict Visitors During Flu Season