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Coughs and Sneezes spread disease!
 As
we head into the fall Flu
and respiratory disease season, and with the latest reports
of Avian
Flu out of Asia and the Far East, Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre has implemented a Febrile Respiratory
Illness (FRI) screening system for all outpatients. We have
been screening ER and inpatients since the SARS outbreak in
March 2003. As the international community learned through
experience with SARS, it is a “small world” when
it comes to infectious diseases.
It is expected that FRI screening at TBRHSC will extend beyond
the current flu season and become an essential practice in
our provision of health care.
Do you have a cough or are short of breath and are
feeling feverish?
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In the Infection Prevention
and Control Department directed protocol, patients
arriving in any Outpatient care area (including:
Renal Services, Ambulatory Care, Cardiac Catheterization,
Surgical Day Care, Paediatric Outpatients, Cancer Care,
Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiorespiratory, Psychiatric outpatient)
are advised via posted signs to self-identify
the above symptoms to the reception desk or
next health care professional they encounter. |
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When patients self-identify with or
are detected by staff to have these symptoms, they may
be asked to wear a surgical mask and
be moved at least 1 metre from other persons.
Patients with these symptoms will also be asked a question
about recent travel to the Far East or Asia within the
past 30 days or possible contact with an individual who
has traveled there. |
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All patients entering an
Outpatient area must clean their hands with an alcohol
hand rinse (rub until dry). |
A complete description of the TBRHSC Outpatient
Screening Policy may be found here.
Click
here to obtain information about the Thunder Bay District
Health Unit Flu Vaccination program.
Pat Piaskowski RN HBScN CIC
Infection Control Coordinator
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
980 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6V4
Phone: (807) 684-6040
Fax: (807) 684-5878
Email: piaskowp@tbh.net
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