Influenza A outbreak over on GBGH’s 1 North unit
May 22, 2019 – An outbreak of influenza A on the 1 North Complex Continuing Care, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Unit at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has been declared over, in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. GBGH met the criteria for the outbreak to end based on the hospital remaining without additional cases for eight days, measured from the last patient case on May 14.
“Our team took quick action to prevent the spread of the flu from the two confirmed cases to other patients on 1 North and throughout the building,” says Dawn Major, chief performance officer, GBGH. “This had a significant impact on reducing the spread of infection. Our outbreak management team was very diligent in ensuring infection prevention and control practices were followed so we could reduce the length of the outbreak, therefore reducing the risk to other patients on the unit.”
In quick response to the two lab-confirmed cases, the hospital immediately implemented enhanced infection prevention and control measures including increased housekeeping, use of personal protective equipment, and meticulous hand hygiene practices. Visitation instructions for 1 North have now been removed.
“We know there is still flu circulating in the community, even though it may seem late in the season,” says Janine Duquette, infection prevention and control practitioner, GBGH. “As part of our standard practice for visitation, we always ask that people do not visit patients if they are unwell and/or experiencing flu-like symptoms.”
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Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177