JGH on alert for swine flu

MONTREAL — The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) elevated its level of emergency preparedness, following the confirmation of swine flu cases in Canada.

The hospital is taking various precautions to keep patients, visitors and staff safe and well informed.

Hospital staff have been told to be particularly vigilant for symptoms among patients and visitors. Stations in certain clinical areas of the hospital are also screening people who have recently arrived from areas affected by flu and are exhibiting the respiratory symptoms associated with it.

Instructions to patients and visitors have been posted throughout the hospital, displayed on the hospital website and listed on a telephone hotline.

“Safety is a top priority at the JGH,” said executive director Dr. Hartley Stern. “Co-ordinated teams throughout the hospital are taking all necessary measures to ensure that patients, visitors and employees have the guidance, support and tools to protect their health – not only when heightened vigilance is required, but at all times.

“The JGH recognizes the paramount importance of a clean and safe environment, having previously launched a cleanliness campaign that has boosted staff by 10 full-time housekeeping positions on weekdays and 11 part-time positions during the weekend. These efforts have been further enhanced by an extensive hand hygiene program.”

Isabelle Caron, the chair of pandemic planning and nursing director for medicine, geriatrics and mental health, added, “We have adopted preparedness measures in full co-operation with the provincial health ministry, following emergency measures that have been put into effect in hospitals throughout Quebec.”

The JGH is advising anyone who has been to the areas affected by the flu or been in contact with someone who recently returned from those areas, or has fever, cough, shortness of breath, severe headaches or muscle pain to go immediately to the nearest emergency department.

Updated information is being posted on the website at www.jgh.ca. Click on the red Health Alert: Human Swine Flu bar on the main page. The hotline number is 514-340-8222, ext. 6500 (French), or 6501 (English).

— Compiled by CJN Staff