News Release

Fighting the Spread of Germs

CHATHAM-KENT -- Chatham-Kent Health Alliance continues efforts to reduce the spread of infection.

Erika Vitale, Infection Control Co-ordinator, says infection prevention efforts are on the rise in anticipation of a harsher flu season this Fall due to H1N1.

Patients, families and visitors are asked to be aware of the following information when coming to hospital: 

• New and additional signs are posted at hospital entrances in Wallaceburg and Chatham. Signs direct patients who have arrived with respiratory symptoms to go directly to the emergency department.
• Masks are provided at hospital entrances and are to be worn by patients with respiratory symptoms. Instructions on how to properly wear and dispose of the masks are also available.
• Patients with respiratory symptoms may be separated from other patients, visitors, and staff who do not have respiratory symptoms.
• Alcohol-based hand rubs are available at hospital entrances and throughout departments. All staff, patients, families and visitors are expected to wash their hands often. Instructions on proper hand hygiene are posted. Volunteers stationed at Information Centres offer verbal reminders. A large exterior banner, ‘Clean Hands, Caring Hearts’ is a visual reminder to everyone who enters the hospitals.
• Hands-free garbage and laundry receptacles are widely available.
• Magazines and toys are being removed from waiting rooms to reduce potential contact exposure to infections. You are asked to bring your own reading materials and activities for your personal use while at the hospital. Do not share them, nor leave them behind when you leave, as they will be discarded. Donations of magazines from the public are not required at this time. Leisure reading materials are available to purchase in hospital gift shops.
• Members of the public who are sick are advised not to visit hospitalized family members or friends.

Says Vitale, “Each of us has an important role in the prevention of the spread of germs. We are asking for the public’s help in doing their part.” She added, “Don’t visit if you’re sick; wash your hands often; cover your sneeze and cough; wear a mask…These simple actions can go a long way to minimizing the spread of germs.”

CKHA’s infection control efforts model recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

For more information contact:
Erika Vitale, Infection Control Co-ordinator
Ext. 6481

For information about proper handwashing and other infection prevention measures:

http://www.ckha.on.ca/Site_Published/internet/PF_InfectionPrevention.aspx