Restrict visiting and wash hands to beat hospital gastro

19/06/2009 | Gastro update 19 June

The closure of a third ward due to gastroenteritis has put more pressure on patient services at Palmerston North Hospital prompting restrictions on patient visiting. The hospital is working to keep the Norovirus bugs from spreading further and to prevent any new infection being brought in to the hospital.

Three cases of suspected Norovirus in STAR 2 forced its closure to patient admissions and transfers on Wednesday. Wards 25 and 26 were closed last week in an attempt to contain the highly contagious bugs. A total of 60 staff and 35 patients have reported gastro symptoms over the two weeks of this outbreak.

Inpatient elective surgery scheduled for Thursday and today was postponed.

Next of kin of all adult inpatient wards have been notified and asked to support the hospital by restricting visitors only if absolutely necessary. They are reminded to keep to visiting hours, between 2pm and 8pm, unless by prior arrangement with the person in charge of the ward. Patient property can be dropped off or collected at the reception desk by the main entrance to the hospital.

Visitors are asked to use hand hygiene stations at the front entrance, outside wards and at other places within the hospital.

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 symptoms have gone.

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

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