Day by Day: Hospital, Urgent Care ready just in case of swine flu outbreak

Joanne Haffly

Day by Day

Four sheets of white paper are taped to the front of the automatic doors of the emergency room at St. Anthony Hospital.

Visitors are instructed to refrain from visiting if they had a variety of cold or flu-like symptoms, and patients entering the ER lobby are instructed to put on a mask if they have any cold or flu-like symptoms or a cough.

Is this new hospital protocol, or just standard common sense? A little of both, it seems.

I asked Jacquie Goodwill, marketing manager for the Franciscan Health System, which has five hospitals in the state, including St. Anthony in Gig Harbor.

Officially, the swine flu — or H1N1 as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) likes to call it — has not hit the Gig Harbor peninsulas, but the health community is being cautious and proactive.

There were suspected cases throughout the state, but as of Monday, there were no confirmed cases statewide. Goodwill said the signs are in response to the newest flu outbreak.

“St. Anthony Hospital is following the CDC and Department of Health recommendations to the letter,” Goodwill said.

Patients are advised to contact their primary care providers if they have any flu-like symptoms, or go to an ER if their symptoms get worse.

At the MultiCare Urgent Care, signs instructing patients to cover their coughs with a supply of masks are visible at the entrance and at the front counter. Workers and patients are also encouraged to use hand sanitizer frequently.

MultiCare spokesman Todd Kelley said Urgent Care is the perfect place for individuals to go if they are having difficulty. He also advised patients to contact their doctors and to get plenty of fluids and rest.

So are the citizens of the Gig Harbor peninsulas alarmed at the prospect of getting swine flu?

I interviewed people walking along the pathways at Uptown Gig Harbor.

Is the swine flu affecting the way you live your life?

“I was planning on a weekend trip to Mexico, and I probably won’t go.” — Al Nixon, Gig Harbor

“Not for us. I go down to Mexico a lot. But I’d stay away for a while.” — Ellen Budd, Gig Harbor

“It’s not affecting me at all. We’re planning to go to Mexico in the latter part of the year. But, yeah, I’ve thought about washing my hands more.” — Greg Waggett, Belfair

“I wash my hands.” — Samuel Scott Haddon, 4, when asked by his mom what he does to stay healthy.

What you can do to stay healthy

Flu is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

Source: www.cdc.gov/swineflu.