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Oneida Healthcare Center is prepared for a busy 2009-2010 flu season and we want to keep our communities and employees informed regarding our efforts and what everyone should be doing to help control the spread of either type of flu virus.
Anyone, 6 months and older, who has not yet received their SEASONAL and H1N1 vaccines is encouraged to do so. While we are currently seeing a decrease in individuals with influenza-like illness (ILI), it is a typical pattern for pandemic flu to come in waves, so it is very possible, and highly likely, that we will see an increase again in flu and flu-like illness. And seasonal flu has not even arrived yet! It's too early yet to think you've escaped it. Getting vaccinated now will protect you from the current wave as well as a future upswing in illness. Reports issued by the CDC have shown the H1N1 vaccine to be as safe as seasonal flu vaccine, so you should not have concerns that it is not a safe vaccine.
Use the handy links below to find a flu shot clinic and answers to most flu questions or contact your primary care provider with any serious concerns.
Useful Tools & Link
Find a Flu Shot Madison County Schedule
2009 H1N1 Flu & You Brochure Flu Guide for Parents Brochure
Test Your Flu IQ! What To Do If You Get Sick Flu Self Evaluation
Tips On Staying Healthy Handwashing Video & Helpful Tips
Flu Resources for Businesses & Employers More Free H1N1 Resources
Healthy Madison County
NOTICE
Due to the current outbreak of respiratory illness, Oneida Healthcare Center is instituting precautionary measures to ensure that our hospital is safe. We ask for your help and cooperation with the following:
- If you are sick, please do not visit anyone at the hospital
- Please sanitize your hands upon entering and when leaving the hospital (look for wall dispensers)
- Visitation Hours are between 12 pm and 8 pm
- No more than two visitors at a time per patient
- Please respect the healing environment and needs of the patient and limit your visit time
- WELL children may visit, however, children must be at least 13 to visit the Lullaby Center maternity unit, unless they are siblings of the newborn.
Thank you for helping us keep
our patients and employees safe!
What is OHC Doing?
- Our Infection Prevention Officer is in frequent contact with county health officials and are constantly monitoring all the state and national websites: NYSDOH, CDC, WHO, Flu.gov and HHS - to keep up to date with the latest information and advisories.
- Patients who present to the Emergency Department or Patient Registration are screened for symptoms suggestive of flu, i.e. fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and will be asked to wear a mask if they have these symptoms.
- Physicians will determine whether to perform a rapid influenza test, based on the patient's symptoms, severity of illness and medical history.
- If we admit a patient with suspected H1N1 virus, the patient is placed on Droplet and Contact precautions. The precautions used are based on the latest evidence and are per the recommendations of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the CDC. These include a private room if available, (if not available the patient may be placed in a semi-private room with the curtain pulled), wearing a gown, gloves, and surgical mask to enter the room and having the patient wear a mask if outside of the room.
- There are frequent checks of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) with Central Stores and Central Supply to ensure adequate supplies
Of course, if & when we begin to see a significant surge of patients, our emergency response and planning efforts will ramp up accordingly and we will continue to provide regular updates.
So, what can you do?
It's all about the basics!
HAND HYGIENE: (Sound Familiar?) Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Hand washing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy!
Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette: Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially after touching objects that can be contaminated, e.g. door knobs, elevator buttons, etc.
- Stay home if you're sick.
EAT HEALTHY.
Exercise.
STAY INFORMED.
The FLU.GOV and NYSDOH websites are good resources for up to date and reliable information. We suggest that you make them "Favorites" on your computer desktop and visit the sites often for the latest updates and advisories.
FLU.gov New York State Department of Health |
