G&M hospital adds safety protocols until end of Ebola outbreak
Patients at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital emergency room are now being assessed by a screening nurse wearing enhanced personal protective equipment, including a gown, gloves, goggles, a mask and a face shield.
The change is in response to the newly implemented safety precautions outlined by the Minister of Health in response to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa.
Effective Wednesday, Oct. 29, screening for travel history and symptoms will be implemented at the emergency department and main doors of the hospital. There are no restrictions to visitors at this time.
“We would like assure the South Georgian Bay community that there is no cause for alarm or panic, but heightened screening will be in place until the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is under control,” said Norah Holder, vice president and chief nursing executive who chairs the outbreak management committee. “The safety of our community and that of our staff, physicians, patients and volunteers is our top priority and we are going above outlined guidelines to ensure everyone feels safe while at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.”
Officials are asking people to arrive 15 minutes early for scheduled appointments to allow for the screening process.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is reiterating that the overall risk to Ontarians from this outbreak remains low.
Ebola carries a high fatality rate, said officials, but the virus itself does not spread easily from person to person. It’s spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, not through casual contact.
“We would like to assure the South Georgian Bay community that at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital we have infection control systems and procedures in place that are designed to limit the spread of infections and protect health care workers and patients,” said hospital chief of staff Dr. Michael Lisi.
The hospital is working in partnership with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and Ministry of Health to safeguard the public’s wellbeing.
A great deal was learned after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the hospital staff said it has improved and enhanced many processes and procedures to protect both patients and staff.
“I would like to comfort the community by stressing that in Ontario and all of Canada the risk remains very low, and the public should not be worried or alarmed. There has not been a confirmed case of EVD in Canada,” said Lisi. “The risk of infection with Influenza is much greater and more likely than that of [Ebola]. Influenza symptoms often mimic the early signs of Ebola and we strongly encourage everyone to get their flu shot to protect themselves.”
If you are experiencing flu like symptoms, please refrain from visiting patients in the hospital.
