Caution signs posted at hospitals, businesses as illness spreads
Posted by Casandra Andrews, Staff Reporter September 12, 2009 6:00 AM
(Press-Register/John David Mercer)
Worry over swine flu: Hospitals and businesses around Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama are posting signs to keep the sick from spreading illness.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Signs telling the sick to stay away or wash up and wear a mask are posted at businesses and hospitals around Mobile and Baldwin counties as swine flu spreads.
America's First Federal Credit Union in Mobile had a note on the front door, directing those with flu-like symptoms to use the drive-through lane for transactions.
Some hospitals in the state are prohibiting children - the group hit hardest by the H1N1 flu strain this year - from visiting patients.
At least seven deaths in Alabama have been blamed on the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, since it emerged in the U.S in April.
Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in Clarke County bought an advertisement in a community newspaper announcing that it could not accept visitors ages 18 or younger because of the flu outbreak.
Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, meanwhile, is limiting the number of visitors in some areas, according to spokeswoman Ange F. Baggett.
A new safety rule at Thomas, Baggett said, requires those entering patient rooms to use hand sanitizer. Receptacles have been installed outside every patient room, she said, for that purpose.
In a new section of the emergency waiting room at Thomas, a glassed-in area with special ventilation is reserved for sick patients, who are directed there after being masked, Baggett said.
At Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, signs at entrances ask people not to visit if they have flu symptoms or have had the flu in the last week, said spokeswoman Laura Giddens.
Pregnant women, as well as children younger than 12, are strongly advised not to visit the hospital during the flu alert, she said.
"We are asking visitors to clean their hands and cover their cough," Giddens said. "We have antibacterial dispensers at entrances."
Bob Lowry, spokesman for USA Hospitals, which includes Children's & Women's Hospital and the USA Medical Center, said visitors who are coughing or have flu-like symptoms are discouraged from seeing patients.
A new restriction, Lowry said, bars visitors younger than 14 from the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's & Women's. Previously, children could visit on weekends.
At Springhill Medical Center in Mobile, signs are posted at the entrance to the emergency room requiring patients with a cough to wear a mask, said marketing director Marian Faulk.
Flu patients are being isolated, those with flu-like symptoms are being treated quickly, and all patients with flu-like symptoms are being tested, Faulk said.
Springhill Medical Center staff vaccinations for seasonal flu and for the H1N1 strain will begin as soon as the vaccines arrive.
http://www.al.com
Posted by Casandra Andrews, Staff Reporter September 12, 2009 6:00 AM
(Press-Register/John David Mercer)
Worry over swine flu: Hospitals and businesses around Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama are posting signs to keep the sick from spreading illness.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Signs telling the sick to stay away or wash up and wear a mask are posted at businesses and hospitals around Mobile and Baldwin counties as swine flu spreads.
America's First Federal Credit Union in Mobile had a note on the front door, directing those with flu-like symptoms to use the drive-through lane for transactions.
Some hospitals in the state are prohibiting children - the group hit hardest by the H1N1 flu strain this year - from visiting patients.
At least seven deaths in Alabama have been blamed on the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, since it emerged in the U.S in April.
Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in Clarke County bought an advertisement in a community newspaper announcing that it could not accept visitors ages 18 or younger because of the flu outbreak.
Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, meanwhile, is limiting the number of visitors in some areas, according to spokeswoman Ange F. Baggett.
A new safety rule at Thomas, Baggett said, requires those entering patient rooms to use hand sanitizer. Receptacles have been installed outside every patient room, she said, for that purpose.
In a new section of the emergency waiting room at Thomas, a glassed-in area with special ventilation is reserved for sick patients, who are directed there after being masked, Baggett said.
At Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, signs at entrances ask people not to visit if they have flu symptoms or have had the flu in the last week, said spokeswoman Laura Giddens.
Pregnant women, as well as children younger than 12, are strongly advised not to visit the hospital during the flu alert, she said.
"We are asking visitors to clean their hands and cover their cough," Giddens said. "We have antibacterial dispensers at entrances."
Bob Lowry, spokesman for USA Hospitals, which includes Children's & Women's Hospital and the USA Medical Center, said visitors who are coughing or have flu-like symptoms are discouraged from seeing patients.
A new restriction, Lowry said, bars visitors younger than 14 from the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's & Women's. Previously, children could visit on weekends.
At Springhill Medical Center in Mobile, signs are posted at the entrance to the emergency room requiring patients with a cough to wear a mask, said marketing director Marian Faulk.
Flu patients are being isolated, those with flu-like symptoms are being treated quickly, and all patients with flu-like symptoms are being tested, Faulk said.
Springhill Medical Center staff vaccinations for seasonal flu and for the H1N1 strain will begin as soon as the vaccines arrive.
http://www.al.com