Swine flu restricts visitors at Maritime hospitals
Last Updated: Saturday, October 31, 2009 | 3:57 PM AT
CBC News
Some of the Maritimes' largest hospitals have implemented new visitor restrictions and changes in services in response to the swine flu.
P.E.I.'s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown and Prince County Hospital in Summerside have banned all visitors under age 18. No more than two designated visitors will be allowed per patient. And all visitors are urged to sanitize their hands before and after visiting a patient's room, as well as upon entering and leaving the hospitals.
'It is important for the public, our patients and staff to know that for the foreseeable future, it is no longer business-as-usual'—John Gillis, Capital District Health Authority
"We need to ensure that we take the appropriate precautionary steps to protect our patients, staff, physicians and volunteers from the H1N1 virus while they are at the hospital," Rick Adams, executive director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said in a news release.
"A collaborative effort is needed to ensure that these temporary guidelines are followed as a measure to protect the health and safety of patients and visitors, as well as to prevent the spread of influenza," added Prince County's executive director, Arlene Gallant-Bernard.
Compassionate exceptions will be made to the temporary visitor guidelines on an individual basis, in consultation with the patient and their health care team, officials said.
Nova Scotia visitors
In Nova Scotia, the IWK Health Centre in Halifax is curtailing visits to immediate family members only and is strongly encouraging children to stay away.
The hospital is also postponing non-urgent surgeries for children and women, as well as some clinics, until further notice to help meet the growing demands of the H1N1 pandemic.
And the Capital District Health Authority, the largest health authority in Nova Scotia, has announced a new visitor policy that excludes the general public from its Halifax-area facilities until further notice.
"It is important for the public, our patients and staff to know that for the foreseeable future, it is no longer business-as-usual," spokesman John Gillis said in a news release.
Only visitors who have been identified by a patient or next-of-kin as necessary for a patient's emotional well-being and care are allowed, he said.
Children under 12 are restricted from visiting, except for compassionate reasons.
And only two visitors per patient are permitted.
All visitors are being asked to use hand sanitizer, to minimize their time in public areas of the facilities, and to cough or sneeze into their sleeves.
Surgeries affected
In addition, staring Monday, same-day admission surgeries across the district are being reduced by 25 per cent.
"Slowing our surgical schedule should open up to 30 hospital beds we anticipate will be required for H1N1 and other influenza patients," Gillis said.
The changes are expected to affect 50 to 60 patients a week.
Emergency surgeries and procedures for people with risks to life and limb will continue to be priorities, he said.
People with outpatient appointments who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should reschedule.
And people experiencing flu-like symptoms are asked to visit the nearest flu assessment centre, rather than hospital emergency departments.
Assessment centres have been set up at the Halifax Forum, Maritime Hall and the Burnside Industrial Park in Dartmouth. Both are open from 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
No changes yet in New Brunswick
Meanwhile, no New Brunswick hospitals have announced any changes yet.
The Saint John Regional Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital have been seeing a lot more people in the ER and urgent care centre, said Dr. Edouard Hendricks, the vice-president of medical affairs with Horizon Health Network.
"Over the last few days we saw in an increase of the use of our ERs by people who had concerns about their health or the health of their loved ones in relation with flu-like symptoms," he said.
"So what we want to do is remind people about the fact that for most people this is a fairly mild disease."
The hospitals are prepared to expand space if the need arises, Hendricks said.
But he encouraged people with flu-like symptoms to stay home, unless they have a prolonged fever, chest pains or prolonged vomiting.
