Geisinger Medical Center limited visitors to its Danville NICU after a person who had recently visited the unit later tested positive for measles, part of Pennsylvania NICU measles cases that prompted new screening and access rules. Only parents or legal guardians without signs or symptoms of measles may enter the unit.
The exposed person was on the Geisinger Medical Center campus between 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17. Geisinger also began screening people entering facilities across the region on Monday for possible measles exposure, symptoms and vaccination status.
Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick on NICU limits
Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, Geisinger’s Central Region chief medical officer, said the change was temporary and aimed at protecting the hospital’s most vulnerable patients. He said, “We understand how important it is for parents and immediate family members to be present with loved ones in the NICU, and we did not make this change in visitation policy lightly” and that the “temporary restrictions were determined to be necessary to protect the hospital's most vulnerable patients.”
The limits apply only to the NICU at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Parents and guardians are still screened for symptoms when they enter the hospital, and they are strongly encouraged to wear surgical masks before entering the NICU.
Geisinger campus exposure window
Geisinger said it reviewed the person’s movements and determined the individual visited only two locations on campus. Anyone who was in those locations during the identified period has been told to monitor for symptoms and contact a primary care provider with questions or concerns.
Geisinger is working directly with families of NICU patients who may have been exposed to determine appropriate care. NICUs provide around-the-clock specialized care for premature, critically ill and medically fragile newborns, and Geisinger said people who develop symptoms should call a healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office, urgent care center or emergency department.
People born before 1957, people who previously had measles, and people who received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are generally considered at low risk. Unvaccinated people face a significantly greater risk after exposure, and immunocompromised people may be at increased risk even if they were previously vaccinated.
The immediate question for affected families is simple: anyone with access to the Danville NICU must meet the screening rules, and anyone who may have been in the two exposed locations during the Aug. 14 to Aug. 17 window should watch closely for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider early rather than waiting for a visit to begin.
