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Flus are in the air
If you're suspected of having the flu, this is how your nurse might appear. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment including gown, gloves, surgical mask and eye shield, a GGH nurse is ready to provide care to a patient with flu-like symptoms.
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You can't help but be aware of the H1N1 flu virus this year. Guelph General Hospital has prepared itself for a pandemic. In fact, we've been planning since the SARS outbreak in 2004, though things have recently moved into high gear. Our plan involves everything from ensuring a stockpile of adequate infection control supplies, to special communications methods, to ensuring staffing in the height of an outbreak, to cross training staff in case they have to be redeployed to other areas in the hospital. The team is looking at how we care to those with the flu who need to be hospitalized, and how to minimize the number of staff who get sick.
Over the last week, we've seen many more patients come to our Emergency Department than usual, and about 1/3 of them have influenza like illness. And, we've had over 100 sick calls from staff over the last three weeks, a far greater number than usual. H1N1 is now prevalent in the community at large. In fact, we may have to bring in visitor restrictions because so many visitors are coming in sick! It's not a step we take lightly because we know the hardship it brings on patients, their families and friends.
Our efforts to stockpile supplies continues. In October, we took delivery of a four-week supply of the protective equipment we will need in a pandemic. The cost of these gowns, goggles and masks is just over $750,000!
There are many great resources available to help you learn more about H1N1. Check out this H1N1 Personal Preparedness Guide from the Public Health Agency of Canada, hand washing tips from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, or the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit website for local information including H1N1 vaccine clinics and the new Flu Assessment Centre.
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