Good hand hygiene key to containing gastro bugs at Palmerston North Hospital

03/04/2009 | Gastro bugs at PN Hospital

Staff at Palmerston North Hospital are working to prevent the further spread of the viral gastroenteritis bug norovirus.
Visitors to the hospital are being asked to stay away unless it is really necessary to visit, to heed the hand hygiene signs at the front doors and at the front of the wards, and use the hand wash available before and after entry to the wards.

Norovirus is 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 visitors to an institution.

Novovirus is a common cause of “gastro” in our community, but can cause significant outbreaks within institutions where people live in close proximity or are already vulnerable to illness.  The good news is that it can be prevented by strict adherence to simple measures such as hand hygiene, scrupulous cleaning and isolation of sick individuals.

MidCentral Health regrets that some surgery has had to be postponed as a result of this outbreak. Patients are being advised and surgery will be re-scheduled as soon as possible.

This illness generally lasts 24-48 hours and it is important to keep up fluids. If people believe they need to see a doctor, they should contact their Medical Centre for advice. If at all possible, we would be grateful if they could avoid coming to the emergency department of the hospital.