Keep bugs away from hospital

July 3, 2007

Keep bugs away from hospital

Tauranga Hospital is asking people with colds or tummy bugs (gastroenteritis) to stay away from patients, after several patients and staff in Ward 10 were hit by gastroenteritis and a respiratory virus affected the special care baby unit.

Infection control coordinator Adrienne Stewart says healthy people often don’t realize the risk to patients, when they bring seemingly minor infectious bugs into the hospital environment.

“People in hospital tend to have lowered resistance and the impact of even small infections can seriously impede their recovery,” she says.
General Practitioners have also seen an increase in the number of patients presenting with diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis) and it appears the virus is prevalent in the community.

“Anyone suffering the gastroenteritis virus should not return to work or school until they are without symptoms for 48 hours, to help prevent passing the bug to others,” says Ms Stewart.

A key factor in preventing the spread of gastroenteritis is strict handwashing after using the toilet, and before preparing or serving food.

“We are urging people who may have gastroenteritis or colds or influenza to avoid visiting friends and family in hospital, while symptoms persist,” says Ms Stewart.

Visitors to Ward 10 are being asked to check in with staff before they come into contact with patients. Transfers to resthomes or other wards is restricted until the outbreak is contained.

In the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) visiting is off-limits to anyone with a cold, cough or influenza. “These babies are very vulnerable and any otential for the transfer of a respiratory virus is of concern,” says Ms Stewart.

“It’s minor to healthy adults and children, but potentially harmful to babies and we are asking for the community’s help with keeping these bugs out of our hospital and away from patients.”

ENDS

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