Nwicker60
11-May-12, 13:22
Rosebank Ward is closed to admissions
NHS Highland has been alerted to an increase in the number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in the community as well as cases within two of our hospitals.
One of them is Caithness General Hospital where the Rosebank Ward has been closed to admissions. Five patients and seven staff have been affected. The other hospital is Raigmore, Inverness where ward 2a has been closed to admissions.
This increase in cases is being reflected elsewhere in the country.
Although there is no confirmation it is likely that this is norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug.
The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely difficult to contain.
It can also be passed on by poor hand hygiene, which means that preventing the spread of this virus is everyone’s business.
Dr Emma Watson, Lead Infection Control Doctor for NHS Highland, said: “There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and it is not usually necessary to visit a doctor. The best course of action is to stay at home, take paracetamol to relieve symptoms of any fever and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.”
The public can help to minimise the spread by following some simple rules:-
· Do not visit a hospital if you or someone you live with has symptoms.
· Wait until you have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours, as you may still be contagious.
· Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
· Ask ward staff for advice before you bring in food or drink for someone you are visiting in hospital.
· If you visit someone in hospital, don't sit on their bed and keep the number of visitors to a minimum at any one time. Never touch dressings, drips, or other equipment around the bed.
· If you think NHS premises are not as clean as they should be, let the Sister or Charge Nurse know. If you think a healthcare worker has forgotten to wash their hands, remind them about this.
Dr Watson said: “If you are booked to come into hospital as an elective patient and have had diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting within the previous 48 hours, contact either your GP or the ward for advice before attending at the hospital.
“If you are admitted as an emergency please inform the staff that you have had these symptoms.”
For more information about hand hygiene visit the Scottish National Hand Hygiene Campaign websitewww.washyourhandsofthem.com (http://www.washyourhandsofthem.com/)
NHS Highland has been alerted to an increase in the number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in the community as well as cases within two of our hospitals.
One of them is Caithness General Hospital where the Rosebank Ward has been closed to admissions. Five patients and seven staff have been affected. The other hospital is Raigmore, Inverness where ward 2a has been closed to admissions.
This increase in cases is being reflected elsewhere in the country.
Although there is no confirmation it is likely that this is norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug.
The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely difficult to contain.
It can also be passed on by poor hand hygiene, which means that preventing the spread of this virus is everyone’s business.
Dr Emma Watson, Lead Infection Control Doctor for NHS Highland, said: “There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and it is not usually necessary to visit a doctor. The best course of action is to stay at home, take paracetamol to relieve symptoms of any fever and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.”
The public can help to minimise the spread by following some simple rules:-
· Do not visit a hospital if you or someone you live with has symptoms.
· Wait until you have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours, as you may still be contagious.
· Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
· Ask ward staff for advice before you bring in food or drink for someone you are visiting in hospital.
· If you visit someone in hospital, don't sit on their bed and keep the number of visitors to a minimum at any one time. Never touch dressings, drips, or other equipment around the bed.
· If you think NHS premises are not as clean as they should be, let the Sister or Charge Nurse know. If you think a healthcare worker has forgotten to wash their hands, remind them about this.
Dr Watson said: “If you are booked to come into hospital as an elective patient and have had diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting within the previous 48 hours, contact either your GP or the ward for advice before attending at the hospital.
“If you are admitted as an emergency please inform the staff that you have had these symptoms.”
For more information about hand hygiene visit the Scottish National Hand Hygiene Campaign websitewww.washyourhandsofthem.com (http://www.washyourhandsofthem.com/)