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Source: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/01/...ms-clinics-as-season-starts-early/?ref=latest
Flu patients crowd into Maine emergency rooms, clinics as season starts early
By Jackie Farwell, BDN Staff
Posted Jan. 03, 2013, at 7:57 p.m.
Hospital emergency rooms and walk-in clinics are filling up as the flu grips Maine earlier than usual this season, causing sustained misery and serious symptoms in many patients.
More flu patients are winding up hospitalized this season, according to a number of Maine health professionals. Even some patients who were immunized against influenza are falling ill, though with shorter and less severe symptoms than those who skipped their annual flu shot.
At The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle last week, flu patients visiting the emergency room and walk-in care departments triggered an all-time high in patient volumes, said Daryl Boucher, TAMC?s director of emergency services. The influx, about 120 patients a day at the busiest, prompted the hospital to initiate ?internal disaster? protocols on Dec. 28....
Flu patients crowd into Maine emergency rooms, clinics as season starts early
By Jackie Farwell, BDN Staff
Posted Jan. 03, 2013, at 7:57 p.m.
Hospital emergency rooms and walk-in clinics are filling up as the flu grips Maine earlier than usual this season, causing sustained misery and serious symptoms in many patients.
More flu patients are winding up hospitalized this season, according to a number of Maine health professionals. Even some patients who were immunized against influenza are falling ill, though with shorter and less severe symptoms than those who skipped their annual flu shot.
At The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle last week, flu patients visiting the emergency room and walk-in care departments triggered an all-time high in patient volumes, said Daryl Boucher, TAMC?s director of emergency services. The influx, about 120 patients a day at the busiest, prompted the hospital to initiate ?internal disaster? protocols on Dec. 28....