NRMC Experiences Influx of Influenza Positive Patients Nevada Regional Medical Center is seeing an increased number of patients with flu-like symptoms in the Emergency Department. The hospital is following CDC guidelines and infection control procedures to help protect patients, employees and hospital visitors from the spread of this illness. Patients who test positive for flu are treated with antiviral medications. However, H1N1 is not being specifically tested for. Rates for positive influenza compare with average numbers throughout the state and across the nation. Like other hospitals across the nation, NRMC has taken steps to prepare for the possibility that there will be more cases of H1N1 influenza within the community and that more people may need hospital level care. These preparations include processes for identifying, isolating and caring for patients with the flu, securing supplies and anti-viral medications, and staffing considerations. Most importantly, the hospital is working to educate our community about ways to prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza and other viruses. These measures can help prevent spread of the illness: · Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. · Avoid close contact with sick people. · Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs spread this way. · If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit close contact with others to help prevent the spread of flu. · If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. · Get your seasonal flu shot as soon as possible and the H1N1 vaccination when it becomes available. As a result of the increasing number of patients seeking care for flu-like symptoms in our emergency department, wait times may be longer. The hospital continues to screen and treat the most critically ill and hurt patients first. People with flu-like symptoms who are not experiencing an immediate medical emergency are encouraged to contact their personal physician first to determine when and where they should be seen by a healthcare professional. Patients with flu symptoms are asked to wear a mask upon arrival to the emergency room. NRMC has also instituted visitor restrictions to help protect patients from becoming infected. All children 14 and under will be not allowed to visit patients at any time inside the hospital until further notice. Furthermore, visitors with a cough or fever, or any other respiratory illness are asked to refrain from visiting until they have no fever or illness for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medications. Individuals should also not visit the hospital for 24 hours after a known exposure to influenza.