With the holidays just around the corner, we want to help
you make the festive season as safe and healthy as possible for everyone in
Muskoka, not only our patients. Influenza season is ramping up in the province, including
Muskoka, and there are some basic principles of infection prevention that are
important to remember if you’re planning to visit a friend or family member at
the hospital.
To start, if you have flu-like symptoms or generally are
feeling unwell it is best that you stay home instead of visiting at the
hospital. It will be important that you
get plenty of rest and drink lots of clear fluids until you are feeling better.
You should avoid close contact with people if you have any of the following
symptoms:
- Fever
- New, serious cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or congested nose
- Body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- clean your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub – especially before entering and after exiting a hospital room;
- sneeze and cough into your elbow; and,
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Getting the flu shot is another way we can all protect
each other. It’s the best way to safeguard against influenza and helps to
minimize the severity of the illness. I’m proud to say that 78% of our staff
have been immunized, which is a remarkable commitment to patient safety.
In the hospital, when patients are suffering from
influenza, they are put under isolation precautions to prevent the flu from
being transmitted to other patients or care providers. This includes the need for
visitors and staff to wear protective equipment such as a mask, a gown, and/or
gloves. And when influenza levels get to a certain point in the hospital or in
the community at large, we may be required to limit or restrict visitors.
With some good visiting etiquette and common sense around
flu symptoms, we can help keep our most vulnerable patients safe and ensure our
workforce is healthy and strong to provide the care our patients need.
The healthier you are this holiday season, the more time
you can enjoy with friends and family.
