Pressure builds at Soldiers'

Author: Frank Matys

Date: Nov 05, 2009

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Frank Matys

Concern over the H1N1 flu virus has led to a spike in visits to the hospital’s emergency department. Officials are encouraging residents to conduct self-assessments to determine if a visit is necessary.

Hospital officials are advising residents with flu symptoms to think twice before turning to the emergency department, saying concerns over the H1N virus have prompted a surge in visits, some of them unnecessary.
“You are coming into an area where people are ill in varying degrees,” said spokesperson Terry Dyni. “During a flu season, you want to limit your exposure to the virus as much as possible. By coming to the hospital, you could potentially be putting yourself at greater risk.”
Over the past week, the number of daily visits to the emergency department rose to about 200, up from the 130 or so that is typical for a busy day.
Many of those visits coincided with the emergence of flu-like symptoms, Dyni said.
“It is putting extra pressure on staff,” he added. “They are a lot busier than normal. When there is a heightened sense of alert in the community, there is a heightened sense of alert in the hospital as well.”
Barrie’s Royal Victoria Hospital reported a 70 per cent spike in volumes at its emergency department over the past week.
Most patients are experiencing mild symptoms.
“The majority of the patients with influenza symptoms do not need to be admitted to hospital, and the treatment they received could have been delivered elsewhere,” said Dr. Jeff Eisen, clinical director, emergency services.
A shortage of family doctors is likely adding to the influx, Dyni said.
“That is a situation that was obviously pre-existing before this started, but gets exacerbated by the fact that you get a surge in concern,” he said.
The hospital is urging residents to conduct self-assessments to determine whether a visit to the emergency department is necessary.
“There are instances where people, if they went through the self- assessment tool they might realize they didn’t need to come to the emergency department,” Dyni added.
An assessment tool developed by Ontario’s health ministry is accessible through the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.
According to a statement by the regional agency, “people who have an influenza-like illness are generally advised to stay home and get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and take basic pain or fever relievers.”
Those who develop severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, should seek medical attention, as should pregnant women and people with chronic health problems, the health unit said.
About 200 of the hospital’s front-line staff received the flu vaccine last week, with more expected to receive a shot when the next batch arrives.
“There is much greater uptake this year than in previous years with the regular seasonal flu vaccine,” Dyni said, noting that staff members in regular contact with patients are donning masks and other protective equipment.
The hospital is not administering the vaccine to the general public.
“That is being done by public health,” Dyni added.
To access the self-assessment tool, go to www.smdhu.org. or call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0007.