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Flu Season Updates: 2009-2010
 NMC and the Vermont Department of Health are are actively involved in responding to the situation relating to H1N1 (swine flu) and the seasonal flu. At this point, the Vermont Department of Health is characterizing the level of Flu Activity in the State as “Local,” defined as “Outbreaks of influenza or increases in ILI cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in a single region of the state.”
We have been functioning under “Incident Command” to guide preparations and response related to H1N1. Given the current situation in the State and in our community, we are stepping back from the activation of Hospital Incident Command and returning to “normal operations.” Should the situation change, we stand ready to reactivate Incident Command. Our thanks go out to Dr. Ed Haak, who served as Incident Commander, for the time and energy he invested in leading our preparations and response. Work relating to H1N1 will continue, much of it passing through either the Emergency Preparedness Committee or the Clinical Managers group.
Like other hospitals across the nation, we have taken steps to prepare for the possibility that there may be more cases of H1N1 influenza and seasonal flu in our community and that more people may need hospital level care. These preparations include processes for identifying, isolating and caring for patients with the flu, securing supplies and anti-viral medications, and staffing considerations.
Preventing the Spread of Flu:
Most importantly, the hospital is working to educate our community about ways to prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza and other viruses. These measures can help prevent spread of the illness:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs spread this way.
- If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit close contact with others to help prevent the spread of flu.
- If you are sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
- Get your seasonal flu shot as soon as possible and the H1N1 vaccination when it becomes available.
Visiting the Hospital:
As the situation develops, NMC may put some restrictions on visitation and may implement other appropriate protocols to ensure the proper care of our patients and help prevent further spread of the illness to the general community. Should such measures be necessary, NMC will let the community know through local media and the hospital website. On 10/26/09, we sent a release to the media asking visitors to use discretion when visiting the hospital. Click here to read the release. On 11/20/09, a follow-up release was issues requesting fewer visitors accompany ill individuals to the Emergency Department. Click here to read the release.
Links to helpful information & documents:
- For a copy of the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) "H1N1 Flu & You" brochure, click here.
- For questions and answers relating to the Safety of the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine, click here.
- For information about the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Seniors, click here.
- For Guidelines for Deciding About Care from the Vermont Department of Health, click here.
- To read about an External Triage Drill that was held on 10/16/09, click here.
- Public Health Clinics are being offered. Franklin County Home Health Agency is scheduling appointments for H1N1 vaccine by calling 802-527-7531. Their currently scheduled clinics are as follows:
· Thursday, January 14 - anyone over age 6 months; 4 - 6 pm. at FCHHA in St. Albans
Individuals do not need to meet priority criteria to receive the H1N1 vaccine at these clinics. Visit Franklin County Home Health Agency's website for more information about these clinics. To find other options of H1N1 Vaccine Clinics near you, click here.
- Northwestern Walk-In Clinic, located in Georgia, also has H1N1 Vaccine available. Call 524-8911 or visit their website for clinic hours and information.
For more information, please visit the Vermont Department of Health or the CDC websites relating to swine flu, or dial 2-1-1 on your phone.
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