Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre – H1N1 “Visitor Restrictions” Continue

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is noticing a gradual decline in patient pressures on the Emergency Department when compared to the peaks in activity in recent weeks. In-patient admissions with a Febrile Respiratory Illness remain greater than normal though. Therefore, in order to manage against further spread of the flu virus at TBRHSC, it has been decided that the current strategy of "restrictions to visitors" will continue.

Lori Marshall is the Vice President, Medicine, Cardiology, Mental Health and Maternal/Child. She cautions that "the purpose of the restriction is to ensure that the health and protection of our patients and staff members is maintained". “We are encouraged by the trends and believe we will return to a more normal state in the coming week.”

All visitors and outpatients continue to be screened on entry to the Health Sciences Centre. Public access is available through the Front Entrance, Emergency Department and Renal Entrance only. People are asked to park in lots closest to these entrances. All other doors are locked and accessible to staff only through a card swipe.

As noted before, outpatient procedures and diagnostic tests are proceeding at this time; however, these patients will need to go through the screening process at the entrances. In addition, escorts should only accompany patients, if medically necessary.

The Health Sciences Centre is working very closely with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. People are reminded that hand-washing is the best defense against the spread of infection.

“We cannot emphasize enough the serious nature of these steps that TBRHSC has taken," said Kay Cranston, Coordinator of Infection Control at TBRHSC. “The continued health and recovery of our patients is dependent upon a highly controlled environment, and we need to maintain that level of control.”

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre thanks you for your co-operation, and will continue to provide updates on its website.

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