Stateline hospitals are considering a mask policy for cold and flu season

On November 9, 2024By Pranco

(WIFR) – Stateline hospitals are preparing for the arrival of this year’s cold and flu season, hoping to limit the spread of illness within our communities.

Beginning Nov. 11 and ending in mid-March, UW Health will require masks in certain areas to help protect not only patients, but also staff and visitors.

“We can really significantly reduce transmission of respiratory viruses if we both wear masks,” said Jeff Pothof, chief quality officer at UW Health.

Because masks have proven to be effective during the coronavirus pandemic, UW has decided that face coverings should return as the risk of respiratory illness increases.

“We looked at the virus levels in the community and then tried to time our masking guidelines when we thought cases were going to rise,” Pothof explained.

UW Health will require masks in high-risk patient areas such as the intensive care unit, the neonatal intensive care unit and in cancer care areas. Masks are strongly recommended in other patient care locations and optional in work areas, break rooms, main entrances, information desks and cafeterias.

“Patients are safer, less likely to get these viruses that can make them very sick or ill. At the same time, you know we all want to be at work taking care of patients, we don’t want to have to cancel our clinics,” says Pothof. “And that just seems like a really good way to make progress in healthcare.”

At a recent meeting, other hospitals in the Rockford region said they will not be instituting a mask requirement at this time. OSF HealthCare’s Chief Nursing Officer says it will follow federal guidelines and wear a mask if necessary.

Stateline hospitals are considering a mask policy for cold and flu season(WIFR)

“At FHN we look at what is happening in the community,” said Margie Kochsmier, infection preventionist at FHN. She says FHN is not seeing an increase in cold and flu cases at this time.

“FHN has no plans for that. If I see a lot of cases of flu, we’ll switch to masking, or if we see a lot of cases of COVID, then we’ll switch to masking,” Kochsmier explained.

Area hospitals are encouraging community members to monitor symptoms of respiratory illness, practice good hygiene, stay home if sick and get the latest flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

The country expects a winter peak in respiratory viruses that will exceed the summer peak of 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.