January 30, 2008 ~ Thunder Bay ~ The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) announced today that it will be stopping all visits until further notice.
Due to the Enteric Outbreak (symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) on three inpatient units, TBRHSC is taking aggressive precautionary measures to ensure that the health and protection of its patients and staff members is maintained. “We have decided to take these steps as a preventative measure”, stated Ron Saddington, President and CEO of TBRHSC. “We realize that we’re asking a lot of people, especially those with family members or friends in the Health Sciences Centre, but we must address this issue before we have no choice.”
“We are asking that visitors call ahead before making the trip to the TBRHSC, and those patients experiencing any symptoms to assess themselves before they come to the Health Sciences Centre to keep any out-patient appointments”, said Lori Marshall, Vice President, Medicine, Cardiology, Mental Health and Maternal/Child. “In addition, escorts should only accompany patients if medically necessary.”
There will be restrictions in the Health Sciences Centre in-patient units and common areas, and a greater emphasis on Infection Control. The Health Sciences Centre is working very closely with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. The public are reminded that hand washing is the best defense from the spread of infection.
“We cannot emphasize enough the serious nature of these steps that TBRHSC is taking", said Kay Cranston, Coordinator of Infection Control at TBRHSC. “The continued health and recovery of our patients is dependent upon a highly controlled environment, and we need to maintain that level of control.”
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre thanks you for your co-operation, and will continue to provide updates on its website. http://www.tbrhsc.com/
Help prevent the spread of this infection by staying home if you do not feel well. Be sure to stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have stopped and stools are back to normal. If the symptoms persist or become worse, consult your family physician.
The most important way to help stop the spread of this disease is by frequently washing your hands. Other steps that you can take to protect you and your family include cleaning and disinfecting all contaminated surfaces and frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and toilet handles. If you have been ill or have had contact with someone ill, please protect individuals at high-risk by avoiding visits to long term care homes, hospitals and retirement residences.