BRMC Advises Preventative Measures in Light of Outbreak
By George Nianiatus
Senior Writer
Communications Department
As reports have risen about confirmed swine flu cases internationally and in 11 U.S. states, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) officials say they are fully prepared and trained for any future contingency which could occur.
"We drill and practice for these events throughout the year. We are well prepared and ready to respond, if necessary," says Deborah Price, BRMC's senior vice president of Patient Care Services.
BRMC Pathologist Syed Ally, M.D., F.C.A.P, F.A.S.C.P., and medical chairman of the hospital's Infection Control Committee, says he feels "confident in our Emergency Preparedness plan at the federal, state and local levels. The hospitals across our region also plan on an ongoing basis for situations like this." Both hospital officials reported there were adequate medical supplies available for patients as stockpiles are being released from Washington. "Our government is well prepared," Mrs. Price notes.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza A virus in Pennsylvania, according to information from the state Health Department. In neighboring New York state, though, there were 50 confirmed swine flu cases, say officials at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A key to avoiding the spread of swine flu or other sickness is ensuring those who may feel ill stay home from work or school, BRMC and other health officials say. Several safeguard measures are under way at the Medical Center to ensure public health. "Signs are being posted at all entrances and in areas with outpatient traffic to direct the patients to ask for a mask if they have symptoms of influenza, which include high fever, body aches, cough or sore throat," Mrs. Price says. The public is asked to exercise caution when visiting patients.
"Signs are also being hung throughout the hospital to encourage frequent hand hygiene, either with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer," Mrs. Price says.
In the spring of 2008, BRMC installed 20 hand sanitizers in high-traffic locations. They were placed at the Emergency Department waiting room, lobbies and at elevators and outside the cafeteria so visitors and hospital staff can disinfect their hands whenever they want.
All of these measures are being taken to reduce the incidence of spreading any illness within the hospital, the hospital official explains. So far, BRMC's Emergency Department has seen no suspected cases of swine flu, Mrs. Price says.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Health officials from BRMC, the Pennsylvania Health Department and the CDC are offering advice on what people need to know to stay healthy to lessen their chance of getting with swine flu or other similar illnesses.
Their advice includes:
-- Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others;
-- Cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or a tissue and dispose of used tissues;
-- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
-- Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise; and
-- Seek care if you have influenza-like illness.
"To avoid spreading any flu-like illness, people need to constantly practice good respiratory etiquette. This means sneezing or coughing into your elbow, a tissue or with your head turned away," says Terri O'Brien, RN, BRMC's infection control practitioner.
"I also can't emphasize enough how important it is for people to properly wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer," Mrs. O'Brien says. "The spread of many flu-like illnesses could be prevented by just following these simple steps."
To date, the CDC has reported 91 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and the first death identified in the U.S. as of this Thursday. In addition, the World Health Organization has elevated the world pandemic level from a Phase 4 to a Phase 5 alert, the second highest level, meaning that it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent. A phase 5 alert means there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries. The CDC also has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency's response to this emerging health threat.
For more information about the swine flu and updates, go online for the "H1N1 Flu" link at www.cdc.gov or the Pennsylvania Health Department at www.health.state.pa.us.
Senior Writer
Communications Department
As reports have risen about confirmed swine flu cases internationally and in 11 U.S. states, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) officials say they are fully prepared and trained for any future contingency which could occur.
"We drill and practice for these events throughout the year. We are well prepared and ready to respond, if necessary," says Deborah Price, BRMC's senior vice president of Patient Care Services.
BRMC Pathologist Syed Ally, M.D., F.C.A.P, F.A.S.C.P., and medical chairman of the hospital's Infection Control Committee, says he feels "confident in our Emergency Preparedness plan at the federal, state and local levels. The hospitals across our region also plan on an ongoing basis for situations like this." Both hospital officials reported there were adequate medical supplies available for patients as stockpiles are being released from Washington. "Our government is well prepared," Mrs. Price notes.
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza A virus in Pennsylvania, according to information from the state Health Department. In neighboring New York state, though, there were 50 confirmed swine flu cases, say officials at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A key to avoiding the spread of swine flu or other sickness is ensuring those who may feel ill stay home from work or school, BRMC and other health officials say. Several safeguard measures are under way at the Medical Center to ensure public health. "Signs are being posted at all entrances and in areas with outpatient traffic to direct the patients to ask for a mask if they have symptoms of influenza, which include high fever, body aches, cough or sore throat," Mrs. Price says. The public is asked to exercise caution when visiting patients.
"Signs are also being hung throughout the hospital to encourage frequent hand hygiene, either with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer," Mrs. Price says.
In the spring of 2008, BRMC installed 20 hand sanitizers in high-traffic locations. They were placed at the Emergency Department waiting room, lobbies and at elevators and outside the cafeteria so visitors and hospital staff can disinfect their hands whenever they want.
All of these measures are being taken to reduce the incidence of spreading any illness within the hospital, the hospital official explains. So far, BRMC's Emergency Department has seen no suspected cases of swine flu, Mrs. Price says.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Health officials from BRMC, the Pennsylvania Health Department and the CDC are offering advice on what people need to know to stay healthy to lessen their chance of getting with swine flu or other similar illnesses.
Their advice includes:
-- Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others;
-- Cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow or a tissue and dispose of used tissues;
-- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
-- Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise; and
-- Seek care if you have influenza-like illness.
"To avoid spreading any flu-like illness, people need to constantly practice good respiratory etiquette. This means sneezing or coughing into your elbow, a tissue or with your head turned away," says Terri O'Brien, RN, BRMC's infection control practitioner.
"I also can't emphasize enough how important it is for people to properly wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer," Mrs. O'Brien says. "The spread of many flu-like illnesses could be prevented by just following these simple steps."
To date, the CDC has reported 91 human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and the first death identified in the U.S. as of this Thursday. In addition, the World Health Organization has elevated the world pandemic level from a Phase 4 to a Phase 5 alert, the second highest level, meaning that it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent. A phase 5 alert means there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries. The CDC also has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the agency's response to this emerging health threat.
For more information about the swine flu and updates, go online for the "H1N1 Flu" link at www.cdc.gov or the Pennsylvania Health Department at www.health.state.pa.us.
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