CCMH Gets Flu Vaccine

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has received an initial supply of H1N1 vaccine. People identified as high risk patients should contact their primary care provider to receive a vaccination as it becomes available. CCMH also began vaccinating health care workers and emergency medical services personnel this week to protect patients, staff and visitors.

The CDC has recommended that high risk groups be vaccinated first: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of children younger than six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, those six months to 24 years, and those 25 to 64 years with certain health conditions. After the high risk groups have been vaccinated, the general population will be able to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Last week, Charles Cole revised its visitation policy to further protect patients, staff and visitors due to increased flu activity. The revised visitation policy restricts children under 18 from visiting the hospital. Exceptions may be made for those visiting the hospital’s Long Term Care Unit, OB (siblings of newborns), and terminal and critical patients. All other exceptions will be made on a case by case basis. In addition, anyone, regardless of age, who is ill or who has ill household members should not visit the hospital. Unlike seasonal flu, children seem to be at high risk for H1N1 and can spread the virus easily among the population.

All patient rooms at Charles Cole are equipped with phones; family and friends are encouraged to call patients if they cannot visit. E-cards, which are delivered to patient rooms, are also available via the hospital’s website, www.charlescolehospital.com.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat. Patients with H1N1 may also have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Anyone arriving at the hospital for medical care, who suspects he/she may have the flu, should wear a mask which will be available at the main entrance, at provider offices, and the emergency entrance. Patients with influenza-like symptoms should contact their medical provider’s office if they feel they need medical treatment. Otherwise, those with flu or flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least seven days after becoming ill and after 24 hours of being fever free without the use of medication.

For more information, visit www.charlescolehospital.com or call CCMH’s flu hotline for a pre-recorded message at 814/260-5279 or toll free at 877/364-7904.

Pictured, Rachel Forsythe, RN, gives Matt Seeley of the Tri-Town Fire Department a H1N1 vaccination this week.

from Janene Dunn, CCMH