As local free vaccinations for the H1N1 virus rises, Cook County health officials said so does the need to take preventive measures against the virus.
As local free vaccinations for the H1N1 virus rises, Cook County health officials said so does the need to take preventive measures against the virus. To help contain and prevent the spread of H1N1 to hospital patients a new visitor policy was instituted Nov. 11 at the county’s three hospitals: John H. Stroger Jr., Provident and Oak Forest. From now on, county hospital staff will more closely monitor visitors regardless of age to make sure they are not already sick. And those visitors with fevers or sore throats will not be allowed to visit patients. “By taking this proactive approach, we are helping to ensure that our staff and our patients are coming into a healthy environment,” said William Foley, CEO of the Cook County Health & Hospitals System. Other changes include visitors wearing gloves and masks when entering a patient’s room, visitors being asked to wash their hands after leaving a patient’s room, and H1N1 patients will be isolated more and asked to wear gloves and a mask when leaving their room.