The Simcoe County Flu Assessment Centre officially closed as of Monday, November 30, as a result of a steady decline in the number of patients.
The centre opened November 16th to quickly assess individuals with influenza-like symptoms, while reducing the burden of non-urgent cases on overwhelmed hospital emergency departments and walk-in clinics. Although the centre was initially very busy, during the past several days a decreasing number of patients are visiting the centre.
“The flu assessment centre provided care for nearly 300 people over the past two weeks,” says Dr. Monica Wolnik, Medical Director of the assessment centre. “The model that we used to screen, assess and treat patients was extremely effective. It also allowed us to come together, quickly, as a community to determine how to best utilize our health care resources in response to a pressing health issue. In the future, if we begin to see the incidence of influenza increase in our community, we have the strategies in place to be able to re-open the centre.”
The centre, a partnership between Royal Victoria Hospital, the County of Simcoe, North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre, the Barrie and Community Family Health Team, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and City of Barrie, had a positive impact on RVH. At the height of the second wave of H1N1, volumes in Royal Victoria Hospital’s department skyrocketed between 30 and 50 per cent, creating long waits for patients exhibiting mild-flu-like symptoms. In the vast majority of these cases, patients had mild symptoms and they were sent home to recover.
“The centre relieved pressure on Royal Victoria Hospital’s Emergency Department during the second wave of the flu, says Dr. Jeff Eisen, Clinical Director RVH Emergency. “By diverting those patients with non-urgent influenza symptoms, the ER team was able to focus on acutely ill patients while shortening the wait for flu patients.”
Signage will be posted at the Flu Assessment Centre announcing the closure, as well as on the partners’ websites.
As of November 30th, people experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms have the following options available to them:
• Go to http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/h1n1/public/tools/assessment/sa_charts_en.pdf. to complete the Influenza Self-Assessment Tool
• Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
• Call your health care provider or visit a walk-in clinic or urgent care centre
For more information on H1N1, visit the RVH website at www.rvh.on.ca or call 705-728-9802 x49020 for a recorded update.
October, 2009 - Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) remains on heightened alert and has enforced rigorous infection control protocols in the wake of an increasing number of H1N1 cases in the community, and record numbers of patients visiting the RVH Emergency Department.
“RVH has a well-developed pandemic plan and is aggressively following the strict infection control protocols that were developed during SARS in 2003,” says Deb Paton, Manager, Infection Prevention and Control and Occupational Health, RVH. “This second wave of H1N1 influenza means, as health care providers, we must be hyper-vigilant in protecting our patients and staff, and that means taking every precaution against transmission within the hospital.”
In the past week, the number of people coming to RVH’s Emergency Department has skyrocketed 70 per cent above typical volumes, with large numbers of patients coming to hospital exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The vast majority of those patients are suffering mild symptoms and, if well enough, are being prescribed anti-viral flu medication and sent home to self-isolate themselves, in accordance with Public Health guidelines. There are currently eight respiratory patients on precautions at RVH, with H1N1 test results pending. No patients required admission to the Intensive Care Unit.
This influx of patients coming to the Emergency Department with flu symptoms comes at a very busy time, when the hospital is at 110 per cent occupancy.
“Our Emergency Department is overwhelmed with people, resulting in long waits. The majority of the patients with influenza symptoms do not need to be admitted to hospital, and the treatment they received could have been delivered elsewhere,” says Dr. Jeff Eisen, Clinical Director, Emergency Services, RVH. “If you think you or your child is suffering from the flu, your first step should be to try the self-assessment tools available from the Ministry of Health website or via Telehealth Ontario. They will help you know when it's time to come to the ER, and when you can stay at home."
Nurse screeners are now posted at RVH’s Emergency Department to assess any patients arriving with flu-like symptoms, including sudden onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle and joint pain and headache. Those patients are required to wash their hands and put on a mask. They will be isolated from other patients and placed on precautions, meaning health care providers will wear masks, face protection (goggles), gloves and gowns when caring for them. All patients and visitors entering the hospital through the main entrance are expected to self-screen based on instructions provided. A written self-screening survey must be completed by any visitors entering Paediatrics, Obstetrics, the Birthing Unit, and the Special Care Nursery.
At this time, no visitor restrictions have been implemented, however the hospital’s visitor policy is being strictly enforced. General visiting hours are 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with no more than two visitors per patient at any one time, and no children under age 12. Patients in the Emergency Department are limited to one visitor. Patients who have an outpatient procedure booked at the hospital and have flu-like symptoms, should call the appropriate department before coming to the hospital.
RVH has begun a comprehensive H1N1 flu immunization program for all staff, physicians and volunteers. The hospital is not providing flu shots to the general public. Vaccinations must be obtained via one of the public health vaccination clinics beginning Tuesday, November 3. For a list of H1N1 flu shot clinic times and locations, visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s website at www.smdhu.org.
For more information on H1N1, visit the RVH website at www.rvh.on.ca or call 705-728-9802 x49020 for a recorded update on the current hospital flu status. The self-assessment tool developed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care can be found at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/h1n1/public/tools/assessment/sa_charts_en.pdf. Telehealth Ontario can be reached at 1-866-797-0000.
For more information visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org
|