Gastro closes Ward 29 to visitors

16/07/2009 | Ward 29 Gastro

One surgical ward (Ward 29) at Palmerston North Hospital is closed to new patients and visitors, to help minimise the spread of gastroenteritis, presumed to be Norovirus, at Palmerston North Hospital.

Patients affected in the past 24 hours now number eight and it is essential that steps are taken to prevent this most recent outbreak from spreading further.

Noroviruses are highly infectious and routes of infection can include: transmission through the air (spread through aersolised vomit and faeces), close contact with those infected, and the environment. It can also be introduced by others, such as food handlers, cleaners, other staff, new residents or short-term visitors to an institution. Norovirus is common in our community.

The precautions involve stopping visiting to lessen the risk of bringing further gastro infections into the hospital or spreading the infection between areas within the hospital.

Visiting the rest of the hospital is fine as long as you are well.  Visiting hours are strictly only 2pm to 8pm. A drop off and collection point for patient property is available at the entrance to wards.

Hand washing stations are placed at the front entrance, outside wards and at other places within the hospital. Visitors are asked to use these when entering and leaving.

Visitors who have had any recent sickness, like vomiting and/or diarrhoea, should not visit anyone, especially in hospitals, rest homes and similar institutions, until 48 hours after they have been cleared of any such illness.

Emergency Department patients and those with hospital clinic appointments should continue to access these services.

MidCentral Health appreciates the difficulty this places on visitors and is very grateful for the ongoing support from the community.

CONTACT: Communications Unit: (06) 350-8945.