Geisinger Medical Center has restricted visitors to its Danville NICU after learning that a recent visitor later tested positive for measles. Only parents or legal guardians without signs or symptoms of measles may now enter the unit, and the hospital is screening them for symptoms at the door.
The change matters because the NICU cares for premature, critically ill and medically fragile newborns around the clock, and even a short exposure can carry more weight there than in most parts of a hospital. Geisinger is also strongly encouraging parents and guardians to wear surgical masks before going in.
The person who later tested positive was on the Geisinger Medical Center campus from 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, through 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17. Geisinger said the individual visited only two locations on campus, though it did not identify them. People who were in those locations during that period are being told to watch for symptoms and contact their primary care provider with questions or concerns.
The restrictions apply only to the NICU at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, but the hospital has widened its response across the region. On Monday, Geisinger began screening people entering facilities for possible measles exposure, symptoms and vaccination status. It is also working directly with families of NICU patients who may have been exposed to determine the right care.
That response sits beside an awkward fact: Geisinger says it had already increased precautions because measles cases were rising, yet a recent NICU visitor still later tested positive. Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick said the hospital did not make the visitation change lightly and that the temporary restrictions were necessary to protect its most vulnerable patients.
For families, the next step is simple but strict. Only asymptomatic parents and legal guardians are allowed in the Danville NICU for now, and anyone who develops symptoms is being told to call a healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office, urgent care center or emergency department. People are generally considered at low risk if they were born before 1957, previously had measles or received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, while unvaccinated people face a significantly greater risk and immunocompromised people may also be more vulnerable even if they were vaccinated.
