The Scarborough Hospital has compiled a number of resources to help answer your questions about H1N1, the symptoms of the flu, vaccinations and the proactive measures the hospital has taken to protect our patients, visitors and staff from the virus.

WHAT IS H1N1?

H1N1 is a respiratory illness with symptoms that are much like regular flu symptoms and include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and possibly nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In some people, influenza can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization and in rare cases, death. The best protection against H1N1 is to be vaccinated. Toronto Public Health is operating a number of vaccination clinics for the general public.

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has an online Flu Assessment Tool to help you determine whether you or your child may have the flu, and help you decide what to do next. 

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE THE FLU?

If you or a family member has flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, severe headache, sore throat, or lack of appetite, stay away from work, school and public places.

For mild symptoms, stay home. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids (avoid dehydration), limit contact with friends and household members, ensure family members wash their hands often and clean frequently-touched surfaces. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce the fever.

For moderate symptoms such as worsening cough, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, etc., visit one of the local Flu Assessment Centres.

CHANGES TO VISITING POLICY

To help protect our patients from the spread of the flu virus, The Scarborough Hospital has implemented a new visitor policy. Until further notice, admitted patients will be limited to 2 visitors per day. Emergency Department patients will be limited to 1 visitor.

We ask all patients and visitors coming to the hospital to follow the screening procedures posted at our entrances, to perform proper hand hygiene, and to follow any additional precautions as directed by staff. Please refrain from visiting the hospital if you have any flu]like symptoms.

The Scarborough Hospital is well prepared to deal with H1N1, and it remains safe for patients scheduled for surgery, procedures or tests. If you do have scheduled appointments at the hospital and have flu]like symptoms, please contact your physician before arriving at the hospital.

PROACTIVE MEASURES TO DEAL WITH H1N1

At TSH, our response to H1N1 has been rapid and highly effective. A Command Centre has been established to coordinate all planning related to H1N1 preparations in our hospital, with a team of administrators and healthcare professionals closely monitoring the situation.

"The response team is made up of individuals who worked through SARS and other outbreaks at TSH and at different healthcare facilities. Lessons were learned, and that hard-earned knowledge is being brought to the table in spades," says Dr. Wright, President and CEO. "I don’t think there is a more experienced team at any hospital in this province."

Measures being taken at TSH to proactively deal with potential cases of H1N1 include:

• A new visitor policy: until further notice, admitted patients will be limited to two visitors per day. Emergency patients will be limited to one visitor.

• Signage asking visitors to self-screen for flu-like symptoms has been posted at all hospital entrances.

• All staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and visitors are asked to perform proper hand hygiene using the hand sanitizers located throughout the hospital.

• Patients identified with respiratory symptoms will be provided with procedural masks when in public areas of the hospital.

• Staff who are the first point of contact with patients are observing heightened infection control protocols.

• Updates from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada are being continually monitored, and changes to procedures are being made as appropriate.