Level 1 influenza precautions in place at Meno Ya Win

November 17, 2009

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Vice President of Health Services, Barb Linkewich announced Nov. 16 that “community activity has declined significantly over the past several days and the hospital has no admitted cases of H1N1 at the present time.”

“Influenza exists in the community and we are trying to reduce exposure to our staff and vulnerable patients. This means level 1 precautions are now in place,” Linkewich also said.

Level 1 precautions include:

1)   Single access entrance (5th Ave. and 7th Ave. sites and Extended Care)
2)   Screening for flu-like symptoms will be in place and hand washing will be required by staff and visitors at the door
3)   Visitor restrictions: only one visitor per person
4)   All visitors will wear masks
5)   All patients and escorts in Emergency will be masked
6)   Staff in Emergency will mask and gown when caring for patients with respiratory conditions
7)   Staff will gown, glove and mask when caring for patients with influenza and patients with respiratory illnesses
8)   Staff will self screen for flu-like symptoms and use good hand washing techniques
9)   The public is requested not to visit unless it is an emergency