Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
<TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD class=contentheading width="100%">RMH experiencing increase in H1N1 patients </TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%">PDF </TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%">| Print | </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>Lindsay, November 5, 2009
During the past week, the Ross Memorial Hospital has seen a significant increase in patients coming to the Emergency department. "At their peak last Friday, total numbers in the Emergency department reached 170 patients in 24 hours. During a regular day, staff in the Emergency department sees, on average, 120 patients," said Brian Payne, President & CEO of the Ross Memorial. "More than half of these patients are arriving with Influenza-like Illness."
H1N1 is the predominant strain of flu being spread currently; the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care is reporting that more than 97% of flu cases are caused by the H1N1 pandemic virus. For that reason, not everyone who comes to the hospital with flu symptoms is being tested for H1N1; only people who are admitted as inpatients are being tested, in order to avoid overloading the provincial laboratories.
To date, the vast majority of patients with H1N1 are being seen and discharged home where they recover within a few days. Only a small number of people have been admitted to the hospital due to complications caused by H1N1. However, the hospital is preparing to see more patients over the coming weeks, and is working to offset the surge in the Emergency department in a number of ways.
"The Ross Memorial has established a flu assessment area in order to divert patients with ILI from the Emergency department," said Anne Overhoff, Director of Critical Care and Medicine at RMH. "This enables us to isolate these patients, preventing the spread of H1N1 from other patients and staff, and it helps us to deal with the impact that the very high patient volumes can have on the waiting times in the Emergency department."
The purpose of the flu assessment is assessment, treatment and referrals for patients presenting with ILI symptoms. It's staffed with nurses, a physician or a nurse practitioner.
Jodi Dunn, Acting VP of Patient Care explains current modifications to the hospital's visiting hours: "We're asking that children not visit patients in the hospital, as they are a population that is greatly affected by the flu right now. By keeping children away from the hospital at this time, we hope to protect both our patients and the children." Visitors who are ill are asked not to see patients. Those who want to send get well messages are asked to call the patients, or email their messages to <SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy15933 = 'tlc' + '@'; addy15933 = addy15933 + 'rmh' + '.' + 'org' + '.' + ''; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy15933 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n </SCRIPT>tlc@rmh.org.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> <!-- document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' ); //--> </SCRIPT> This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it<SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> </SCRIPT>
All people entering the hospital are asked to wash their hands using alcohol rub. They must also wash their hands before and after leaving patient rooms. This is an important part of infection prevention at the Ross - we appreciate your cooperation.
The flu assessment centre at the Ross Memorial is not offering vaccinations for members of the public. That service is being provided by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit at a variety of public vaccination clinics in the City of Kawartha Lakes. For a list of dates and times, visit the Health Unit's website.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.rmh.org/content/view/1008/407/
During the past week, the Ross Memorial Hospital has seen a significant increase in patients coming to the Emergency department. "At their peak last Friday, total numbers in the Emergency department reached 170 patients in 24 hours. During a regular day, staff in the Emergency department sees, on average, 120 patients," said Brian Payne, President & CEO of the Ross Memorial. "More than half of these patients are arriving with Influenza-like Illness."
H1N1 is the predominant strain of flu being spread currently; the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care is reporting that more than 97% of flu cases are caused by the H1N1 pandemic virus. For that reason, not everyone who comes to the hospital with flu symptoms is being tested for H1N1; only people who are admitted as inpatients are being tested, in order to avoid overloading the provincial laboratories.
To date, the vast majority of patients with H1N1 are being seen and discharged home where they recover within a few days. Only a small number of people have been admitted to the hospital due to complications caused by H1N1. However, the hospital is preparing to see more patients over the coming weeks, and is working to offset the surge in the Emergency department in a number of ways.
"The Ross Memorial has established a flu assessment area in order to divert patients with ILI from the Emergency department," said Anne Overhoff, Director of Critical Care and Medicine at RMH. "This enables us to isolate these patients, preventing the spread of H1N1 from other patients and staff, and it helps us to deal with the impact that the very high patient volumes can have on the waiting times in the Emergency department."
The purpose of the flu assessment is assessment, treatment and referrals for patients presenting with ILI symptoms. It's staffed with nurses, a physician or a nurse practitioner.
Jodi Dunn, Acting VP of Patient Care explains current modifications to the hospital's visiting hours: "We're asking that children not visit patients in the hospital, as they are a population that is greatly affected by the flu right now. By keeping children away from the hospital at this time, we hope to protect both our patients and the children." Visitors who are ill are asked not to see patients. Those who want to send get well messages are asked to call the patients, or email their messages to <SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> <!-- var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy15933 = 'tlc' + '@'; addy15933 = addy15933 + 'rmh' + '.' + 'org' + '.' + ''; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy15933 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n </SCRIPT>tlc@rmh.org.<SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> <!-- document.write( '<span style=\'display: none;\'>' ); //--> </SCRIPT> This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it<SCRIPT language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> </SCRIPT>
All people entering the hospital are asked to wash their hands using alcohol rub. They must also wash their hands before and after leaving patient rooms. This is an important part of infection prevention at the Ross - we appreciate your cooperation.
The flu assessment centre at the Ross Memorial is not offering vaccinations for members of the public. That service is being provided by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit at a variety of public vaccination clinics in the City of Kawartha Lakes. For a list of dates and times, visit the Health Unit's website.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.rmh.org/content/view/1008/407/