Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) community and other parts of the country are experiencing a significant increase in influenza and flu-like viral infections. To help protect the community, patients and staff, SVMC has temporarily restricted its Visitor Policy, requesting that people who have the flu or flu-like symptoms not visit patients. These symptoms include cough, fever, diarrhea, rash, or known exposure to a contagious illness in the past 14 days. Additionally, no visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed in the hospital until further notice.
Anyone who has these symptoms and due to extenuating circumstances must visit a patient, will be required to obtain a mask on entry to the hospital and to follow these recommendations:
• Wash or sanitize your hands before and after visiting.
• Stay in the patient’s hospital room. Do not visit other patients.
• Limit visitors to a maximum of two visitors per patient room at any time.
In addition, SVMC recommends that everyone get the flu vaccine if they have not already done so this season. The vaccine is available at physician offices and at many local pharmacies. The vaccine provides a significant amount of immunity and can reduce the severity of illness.
SVMC appreciates your understanding, and apologizes for any inconvenience. It is our goal to keep their patients, visitors and staff as safe as possible.
About SVHC:
Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) is a comprehensive, preeminent health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVHC’s providers are members of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Putnam Physicians, a multispecialty medical group operated in partnership with Dartmouth-Hitchcock. SVHC includes the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, a 150-bed long- and short-term care skilled nursing facility; the SVHC Foundation; and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a 99-bed community hospital. SVMC also includes 19 primary and specialty care practices and primary care offices in Bennington, Manchester, Pownal, West Dover, and Wilmington, VT. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is the state’s first Magnet Center for Nursing Excellence, a designation it has held since 2002.
Source: BENNINGTON, VT— January 25, 2019—The Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. svhealthcare.org.