The University of Pennsylvania Health System is considering a policy that would prevent visitors under the age of 16, according to early reports by Fox 29.
A media representative from UPHS said the proposed policy is still under development. A final version is expected later this week.
The policy change was motivated by attempts to prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza, according to Fox 29. H1N1 influenza is most prevalent in children under the age of 15.
Currently, UPHS policy on visitors under the age of 16 is mostly left up to the discretion of individual wards, according to a nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
“If a family member asks, we say that as long as they’re quiet and don’t run around a lot they can stay,” she said.
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