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Officials say use caution when visiting loved ones this flu season
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009 10:05 AM EST
Visiting a loved one in the hospital or a convalescent center is an effective way to boost their morale and, sometimes, even speed up their recovery time.
But during flu season, looking out for their best interest might mean staying home and settling for a phone call.
While local health care facilities are not banning or restricting visitation hours, they are keeping an extra eye on their patients' well being.
Barb Holland, business development manager of Memorial Healthcare, said those visiting loved ones should wait to do so until at least 24 hours after they are healthy.
Germ-protecting masks are available at the nursing station for visitors' use upon arrival as well.
“We want everyone to be as safe as possible, because it's important to protect both the patients and our staff,” Holland said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has defined Influenza as a “contagious respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches.”
Memorial Healthcare said the H1N1 flu is similar to the seasonal flu, but H1N1 causes more serious illness in those 25 and younger as well as in older people who are more susceptible to complications - with asthma, cancer, blood, liver or kidney disorders, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders or a weakened immune system.
At the Shiawassee County Medical Care Center, newsletters are regularly sent out reminding patients, visitors and patrons of updated rules and regulations within the building.
Anne Hart, the center's administrator, said more alcohol sanitizing stations have been installed. She suggested that tissues should be used just once, handkerchiefs are not the best idea this time of year.
“If someone looks ill while visiting, we'll ask them to leave,” she said.
Those with the seasonal or H1N1 flu can recover effectively in a home setting. Patients who enter health care facilities with flu symptoms will be taken directly to another waiting area or given a standard surgical mask.
Hospital staff may be seen wearing additional personal protective equipment such as masks, gowns and gloves during flu season as well.
At the Ovid Healthcare Center, there are no current signs of the flu in the building.
And Terry-Lyn Kamrad, director of nursing, said she wants to keep in that way. While guests are by no means banned from the building, universal precautions are consistently preached to those spending time there.
A hand-washing station is even available right inside the main door, as well as multiple antibacterial lotion machines.
All Ovid Healthcare Center employees have received the standard flu vaccine as well, so patients do not have to worry.
This year, Memorial Healthcare restricted all trick-or-treating activities at the main hospital and its satellite locations “due to current community flu outbreak.”
The center encourages adults to educate their families, especially young children, on the importance of frequent hand washing, covering mouths when coughing, disposing of used Kleenex and not sharing cups or straws with anyone.
“If your family has a loved one or friend in the hospital, consider sharing a photo of your child dressed in his or her Halloween costume in lieu of a visit,” a Memorial Healthcare spokesperson said.
mike wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:14 AM: