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http://www.contracostatimes.com/contracostacounty/ci_12744860
Swine flu sickens employee at John Muir's blood laboratory in Concord
By Sandy Kleffman
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 07/02/2009 07:04:31 PM PDT
Updated: 07/02/2009 07:36:36 PM PDT
Concord
Blood lab employee contracts swine flu: The outpatient blood laboratory at John Muir Medical Center in Concord remained open this week with reduced staffing after an employee became ill with swine flu, hospital spokeswoman Patty Hefner said.
Several other employees are staying home for seven days as a precaution because they had contact with the sick worker, Hefner said.
The lab is continuing to serve preoperative and medical oncology patients. Other patients have been encouraged to go to three nearby laboratories to have their blood drawn, although they could still be seen at the Concord hospital laboratory if they did not mind a long wait.
The phlebotomist who tested positive for the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, last worked June 26, when a patient coughed on her, Hefner said. She did not start feeling sick until Sunday and had her illness confirmed Monday.
Because she was not working when her symptoms began, Hefner said, hospital officials do not believe she exposed patients to the virus.
Hefner said she did not know when the laboratory would return to full staffing. It was to be closed Friday and Saturday for the Independence Day holiday.
? Sandy Kleffman
Swine flu sickens employee at John Muir's blood laboratory in Concord
By Sandy Kleffman
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 07/02/2009 07:04:31 PM PDT
Updated: 07/02/2009 07:36:36 PM PDT
Concord
Blood lab employee contracts swine flu: The outpatient blood laboratory at John Muir Medical Center in Concord remained open this week with reduced staffing after an employee became ill with swine flu, hospital spokeswoman Patty Hefner said.
Several other employees are staying home for seven days as a precaution because they had contact with the sick worker, Hefner said.
The lab is continuing to serve preoperative and medical oncology patients. Other patients have been encouraged to go to three nearby laboratories to have their blood drawn, although they could still be seen at the Concord hospital laboratory if they did not mind a long wait.
The phlebotomist who tested positive for the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, last worked June 26, when a patient coughed on her, Hefner said. She did not start feeling sick until Sunday and had her illness confirmed Monday.
Because she was not working when her symptoms began, Hefner said, hospital officials do not believe she exposed patients to the virus.
Hefner said she did not know when the laboratory would return to full staffing. It was to be closed Friday and Saturday for the Independence Day holiday.
? Sandy Kleffman