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Source: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Edmonton+hospitals+increase+H1N1+patients/1729053/story.html
Edmonton hospitals see increase in H1N1 patients
By Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.comJune 24, 2009 4:48 PM
EDMONTON - Edmonton hospitals have seen an increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with the H1N1 virus in the last two weeks, including three who are currently on respirators in intensive care.
While he is concerned, Dr. James Talbot, associate medical officer of health, said this increase could be due to chance and is fairly normal for a flu that isn?t covered by the annual flu vaccine.
?It is up,? Talbot said. ?We?re concerned, but the one we?re most concerned about is what?s happening in the ICU because that?s where the most serious cases are and where the most amount of work needs to be done to maintain people and get them back to health.?
He said during a typical flu outbreak, one or two people find themselves in intensive care, compared to the three with the H1N1 virus in ICUs now.
In the last two weeks, 18 others have been admitted to general hospital wards ? nine each week, half adults and half children ? compared to the ?dribs and drabs? that were being admitted earlier in the spread of the virus, Talbot said.
The Edmonton area has been hardest hit by this flu strain, with 362 testing positive since the outbreak. That?s double the amount in the Calgary area and virtually half of the 627 cases diagnosed across Alberta.
One Albertan from the Gift Lake Metis Settlement died after contracting the H1N1 flu. Investigators were unable to determine if the flu caused her death.
Talbot said the flu is spreading from person to person in the community, and people should wash their hands regularly and cough into their sleeves. He said the H1N1 flu has now eclipsed other flu strains to become the most common strain being spread.
People walking through emergency doors with flu-like symptoms are being asked to don regular masks and sit away from people, Talbot said. Typically, cough droplets can be spread across a one-metre range.
Patients become more infectious when they are put on respirators in the ICU, since the machines convert their breath into aerosol or tiny particles that move around in the air.
To prevent spread within hospital walls, up to 1,000 nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists who work in ICUs and the emergency wards are being fitted with specialized custom-fit masks. Home-care workers are also getting the masks, since they visit people at home on respirators.
Private rooms are best for patients admitted to regular hospital wards, but Talbot said if there are no free rooms, those with the H1N1 virus bunk together.
He said there are no confirmed cases of the flu being transmitted from patient to patient within hospital walls. Those most at risk are the very young, very old and those with other health problems.
?I don?t think (people in the general public) need to have additional concern over what they have in a flu season where the strain wasn?t include in the vaccine,? Talbot said.
jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com
Edmonton hospitals see increase in H1N1 patients
By Jodie Sinnema, edmontonjournal.comJune 24, 2009 4:48 PM
EDMONTON - Edmonton hospitals have seen an increase in the number of people admitted to hospital with the H1N1 virus in the last two weeks, including three who are currently on respirators in intensive care.
While he is concerned, Dr. James Talbot, associate medical officer of health, said this increase could be due to chance and is fairly normal for a flu that isn?t covered by the annual flu vaccine.
?It is up,? Talbot said. ?We?re concerned, but the one we?re most concerned about is what?s happening in the ICU because that?s where the most serious cases are and where the most amount of work needs to be done to maintain people and get them back to health.?
He said during a typical flu outbreak, one or two people find themselves in intensive care, compared to the three with the H1N1 virus in ICUs now.
In the last two weeks, 18 others have been admitted to general hospital wards ? nine each week, half adults and half children ? compared to the ?dribs and drabs? that were being admitted earlier in the spread of the virus, Talbot said.
The Edmonton area has been hardest hit by this flu strain, with 362 testing positive since the outbreak. That?s double the amount in the Calgary area and virtually half of the 627 cases diagnosed across Alberta.
One Albertan from the Gift Lake Metis Settlement died after contracting the H1N1 flu. Investigators were unable to determine if the flu caused her death.
Talbot said the flu is spreading from person to person in the community, and people should wash their hands regularly and cough into their sleeves. He said the H1N1 flu has now eclipsed other flu strains to become the most common strain being spread.
People walking through emergency doors with flu-like symptoms are being asked to don regular masks and sit away from people, Talbot said. Typically, cough droplets can be spread across a one-metre range.
Patients become more infectious when they are put on respirators in the ICU, since the machines convert their breath into aerosol or tiny particles that move around in the air.
To prevent spread within hospital walls, up to 1,000 nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists who work in ICUs and the emergency wards are being fitted with specialized custom-fit masks. Home-care workers are also getting the masks, since they visit people at home on respirators.
Private rooms are best for patients admitted to regular hospital wards, but Talbot said if there are no free rooms, those with the H1N1 virus bunk together.
He said there are no confirmed cases of the flu being transmitted from patient to patient within hospital walls. Those most at risk are the very young, very old and those with other health problems.
?I don?t think (people in the general public) need to have additional concern over what they have in a flu season where the strain wasn?t include in the vaccine,? Talbot said.
jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com