Alert Information

In order to protect patients, employees, students and visitors during this unusual flu season, UTMB is changing its visitation policy and will no longer allow visitors aged 12 and younger into John Sealy Hospital or the emergency room

This policy goes into effect on Monday, Nov. 9.

The new policy applies only to visitors to the hospital or the emergency room. UTMB will continue to see and treat children as patients who are seeking health care services. We ask parents who plan to visit John Sealy Hospital or the UTMB emergency room to make alternative child care arrangements for children 12 years and younger who are not patients.

Also, UTMB will be screening adult visitors to its hospital and emergency room. Visitors who are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or fever will be asked to leave. The university will also require patients who have flu-like symptoms to wear protective masks in order to minimize the risk of exposing other patients and health care providers.

This adjustment in UTMB’s visitation policy will remain in effect until the H1N1 and seasonal flu no longer pose a threat to the health of the university’s patients, employees, students and visitors.

UTMB sincerely regrets any inconvenience this may cause our patients, visitors and their families, but feels this change is necessary to help limit the spread of flu viruses that can cause severe disease in some people.