Poster on Visitation Policy Created

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2009) – When Kentucky Children's Hospital's visitation policy was temporarily amended to help reduce spread of H1N1 influenza, Sherry Holmes, director of nursing at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, wanted to do something creative to communicate the policy to visitors. Holmes took that idea to Erin McAnallen, Child Life assistant at Kentucky Children's Hospital.

McAnallen loved Holmes' idea and thought a poem would be a clever and uplifting way to address the issue. They both agreed it would be good idea for the young patients to help create the poem and design a poster.

"When Sherry called Child Life and asked if we could create something for the welcome center concerning our newly established visiting policy for families coming to Kentucky Children's Hospital, I jumped at the chance to be creative," said McAnallen. McAnallen, a member of the Kentucky Children's Hospital art committee and founder of Kreative Catz, a group of University of Kentucky art students who volunteer their time to do art with the kids at the hospital, headed up the project. It became collaboration between McAnallen, students involved in Kreative Catz and three patients.

The poster, written from a child's perspective, explains the amended policy, which will remain in place throughout the influenza season, which typically extends through winter.

Under the amended policy:

-  Visitors under age 18 are not allowed in patient rooms and other patient care areas (Parents/guardians under 18 will be allowed to visit their child.)

-  Patients may only have one adult visitor at a time (Except in Kentucky Children's Hospital, where two parents may stay with a child).

-  Outpatient clinics will only allow one additional person (age 18 and up) to attend clinic appointments with the patient (or both parents of a minor child).

-  Additionally, it is recommended that those who are feeling sick, or who have been exposed to someone who is ill, should refrain from visiting patients.