Portuguese hospital lets pets visit owners in wards: a paradigm shift?

AI Summary

São João hospital in Portugal allows pets to visit owners in its wards under rules designed to balance the benefits of visits with infection control and safety. The doctor who helped develop the policy says concerns about hospital pet visits are excessive, and no infections have been reported so far.

In northern and central Europe, pets stay outside hospitals. São João’s flexible model balances benefits and safety, with no infections so far. "There is excessive fear", says the doctor who helped draft the rules.