Visitor restrictions at SMH due to outbreak
Alliston’s Stevenson Memorial Hospital is restricting the entry of visitors to the Medical Surgical Unit effective today (Sat., April 11) due to a gastroenteritis outbreak. The hospital reported an increased number of patients with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea on the Medical Surgical Unit. After consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, it declared a gastroenteritis outbreak. Investigations into the cause are ongoing. “For the protection of our patients, visitors, staff and the community, the hospital is implementing enhanced infection prevention and control measures,” stated hospital officials in a release. In additions to preventing visitor access to the Medical Surgical Unit, there will also be no admissions of patients to the unit until further notice, and all current patients in the unit have been put on contact precautions, staff are wearing gloves, masks and gowns as an added precaution and enhanced cleaning and disinfection has been implemented. Although visitor restrictions have been implemented, at the discretion of the team leader, visits to palliative and critically ill patients may be considered. The hospital has also advised that anyone using other services within the facility is asked to maintain a high level of hand hygiene, by cleaning their hands with alcohol-based rub on entering and exiting the hospital, as well as when moving from one area of the hospital to another. Family and friends of inpatients may contact the Medical Surgical Unit for information, but should be aware that patient care is the priority. When nurses are attending to patients, calls may have to be returned later in the day.
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