Hospital, county agencies get ready for flu season

Health officials launch countywide prevention campaign

Prince Frederick, MD (Sept. 8, 2009) - Calvert Memorial Hospital has already begun gearing up for the influx of patients expected during the upcoming flu season. It has also joined with the health department and other county agencies to launch a countywide education campaign aimed at encouraging local residents to help fight the spread of the disease.

"We're preparing for a surge of patients with flu-like symptoms," said Kasia Sweeney, director of public relations at CMH. "We're taking steps to ensure that we have adequate staffing, supplies and space and anything else we need to take care of these patients."

"Right now, the patients we've seen had mild to moderate symptoms," she said. "In the event, that people become more severely ill, we are also preparing to care for these patients on our units."

"We're really making sure that we anticipate the needs of our pediatric patients," said Sweeney. "We're also coordinating with tertiary care centers in case a patient needs to be transferred."

Sweeney stressed that the hospital has been meeting with the health department and other county agencies since last spring to proactively address any potential issues and identify solutions. "The goal is to stay ahead of anything that could happen," she said.

Sweeney said private physician offices have already signed up to receive the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine, when available, for their patients' use. Additionally, the hospital has met with local practices to share information about the best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory illness in their offices.

The hospital has initiated other measures to protect its patients and staff during the flu season. "We're asking that people with flu-like symptoms not visit friends or relatives in the hospital," she said. "Hand-sanitizing stations have been placed around the campus. We're also using extra caution with anyone sneezing or coughing. They will be asked to put on a mask as soon as they come in."

The local health department is leading the countywide education campaign, which Dr. David Rogers, Calvert County Health Officer, will map out for the county commissioners at their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The multi-faceted awareness effort includes posters, brochures and electronic updates that will be regularly posted on the hospital (www.calverthospital.org) and health department (www.calverthealth.org) websites. For more information, call 410-535-5400.

The brochures will be distributed at back-to-school PTA meetings, physician offices, the health department and all CMH satellites. The posters will be displayed at physician offices, local libraries, county buildings and other public places. The information can also be downloaded by businesses and organizations to share with their employees and members.

"Our goal is to educate residents to be active participants in helping to prevent the spread of the flu and to keep themselves and their families healthy," said Sherry Donovan-Morris, RS, public health emergency planner at the Calvert County Health Department.

To that end, public health officials are encouraging local residents to get vaccinated, to take everyday preventive actions and to stay informed. The seasonal flu clinics will be held:

  • Thursday, Oct. 22 from 4-8 p.m. at Patuxent High School
  • Thursday, Oct. 29 from 4-8 p.m. at Huntingtown High School
  • Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Calvert County Fairgrounds (a drive-through clinic will be provided).

The H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine will also be provided, if available. H1N1 is more of a threat to children under two, pregnant women and people with certain health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC says the virus is usually no worse than the regular seasonal flu, so people should not panic but should still take precautions like washing hands often. People who are infected should stay away from others as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus.

The CDC also recommends getting the vaccine for H1N1, which should be available in mid-October as well as the regular seasonal flu vaccine.

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Calvert Memorial Hospital
100 Hospital Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
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