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Given the confirmed case of measles in the Pikesville area, LifeBridge Health has changed its visit policy as a precautionary measure. The health system does not allow visitors under the age of 14 to enter its hospitals, according to a statement released by LifeBridge on Wednesday, April 10.
Public health officials recently announced that anyone who visited an office building at 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville on Tuesday, April 2 would have been exposed to measles. Possible exposure times ranged from 9 hours to 13 hours. That day. People likely to have been exposed to other places are directly informed, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
In response, LifeBridge Health, focused in the northwestern metropolitan area of Baltimore, issued a warning stating that it would no longer allow people under the age of 14 to surrender. Those who think they have measles are also asked not to come in but to call first.
"Protecting our patients, visitors and employees is our responsibility and our top priority," LifeBridge Health said in a measles alert issued Wednesday, April 10. "With a confirmed case of measles in our area, LifeBridge Health has taken the precautionary measure necessary our policy of visiting hospital visitors under the age of 14."
Measles is a viral infection that is easily transmitted to people who are not vaccinated by coughing, sneezing and mouth secretions. The measles virus can stay in the air for two hours, according to health experts.
"Measles is highly contagious in unvaccinated people," according to LifeBridge Health's Measles Alert, "so we made this proactive decision to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and employees."
These are the places where LifeBridge operates facilities:
Anyone – especially those who have not been vaccinated against measles – at 4000 Old Court Road should monitor the symptoms of measles, especially fever.
People who develop fever or other symptoms of measles should contact their health care provider, urged state officials.
RELATED: Confirmed case of measles, possible exposure in Baltimore County
Here is the text of the measles alert issued by LifeBridge Health:
Protecting our patients, visitors and employees is our responsibility and our highest priority. Following the confirmation of a case of measles in our area, LifeBridge Health took the precautionary step to change our policy of frequenting hospitals without prohibition.
We understand that this can be a disadvantage for patients and their families. Know that we made this decision in the best interest of our patients. Measles is highly contagious among unvaccinated people. We have made this proactive decision to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and employees.
If people think they have recently had measles symptoms or have been exposed to measles, they should not go to the hospital but call their primary care physician for instructions.
Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, redness / irritation of the eyes, and rash. We are working in close coordination with state and local health officials and will continue to re-evaluate this visit policy as needed.
Patch Editor Deb Belt contributed to this report.
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