News Release

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and Influenza Management

Chatham-Kent -- In keeping with hospital infection control policies and continued monitoring of the H1N1 virus in our community, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has implemented various aspects of their pandemic plan at its campuses in Chatham and Wallaceburg.  This is an important measure in managing an increase of patients presenting to the Emergency Departments with influenza-like symptoms as well as, resulting bed pressures.

CKHA asks patients, families and visitors to be aware of the following information:

• Please refrain from visiting the hospitals for reasons other than seeking medical attention and visiting ill family members.  Reducing the amount of unnecessary public traffic in the hospital will help to minimize the chances of illnesses from the community spreading, as well as minimize the chances of exposing the community to illness from CKHA patients.
• To assist in preventing further transmission of any influenza virus, the hospital has rezoned the Public General main entrance as a “staff only” entrance.
• Do not visit the hospital if you have respiratory symptoms like cough, sore throat, runny nose and/or fever, or gastric symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  If you have these symptoms and are seeking medical attention or treatment, please put on a mask.  They are available at all entrances of both campuses.  If none are available, please ask a staff member for one.
• Visitors are asked not to use the Emergency Department entrances when entering and exiting the hospitals.  The Emergency Department entrances are designated only for those seeking emergency services. 
• Emergency Department volumes are currently up over 20%, as compared to the first 6 months of this year. As always, the most critically ill and injured patients are treated first. Patients with less urgent conditions should expect longer than usual waits and are encouraged to bring items to make themselves more comfortable.

All staff, patients, families and volunteers are expected to clean their hands often.  Signs are posted at all hospital entrances and throughout departments.  Instructions for proper hand hygiene are posted. Volunteers stationed at welcome desk offer verbal reminders.

• All in-patients and Emergency Department patients are screened for influenza-like illness.  CKHA continues to follow the directives for swabbing, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
• Services are offered as usual, in all areas of the hospital.  Out-Patient Clinics and elective services are continuing as scheduled.

Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  Most cases of influenza tend to be mild.  However, if you do not start to feel better after a few days or if your symptoms get worse, you should call your primary healthcare provider.  You may also call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 to speak to a Registered Nurse to get health advice and information.

For more information about CKHA’s infection control measures, please visit www.ckha.on.ca. Click on Patients and Family and then on Infection Control.

For more information about influenza, see these links:

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

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

Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit

http://www.chatham-kent.ca/community+services/Public+Health/Health+Home.htm

Ministry of Health and Long Term Care         

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Gary Tithecott, Chief of Staff

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance

(519) 352-6401  ext 6315