Hospital restricts visitation over flu

Jennifer Huberdeau

Nov. 3, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- NORTH ADAMS -- Starting today, children under the age of 18 will not be permitted to visit patients at North Adams Regional Hospital, a temporary measure hospital officials say will protect patients from swine flu.

The hospital is also restricting visiting hours and the number of visitors allowed and asking any adult with flu-like symptoms to refrain from visiting the hospital. Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital have also restricted children under the age of 18 from visiting patients.

Officials at North Adams Regional said Monday that the temporary restrictions were put in place because of a combination of factors, including a rising number of area schoolchildren having flu-like symptoms.

"Our concern is primarily with controlling the spread of the flu and keeping patients, as well as visitors to the hospital, healthy," Joyce Mickanin, director of emergency nursing services, said. "This happens to be the particular age group that the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, is most prevalent in. Children are the hardest to keep in a face mask or properly hand wash. With children, there is a double-fold risk of them either being contagious and spreading the virus, or becoming infected from someone else while visiting."

While the state is no longer testing for the swine flu, Mickanin said the increase in the number of area children with flu symptoms indicates the strain is here.

"This is not your typical flu season,"

she said. "In November, we're just getting ready for the seasonal flu season. Historically, your non-seasonal flu viruses occur outside of the typical flu season. That's why we experienced the H1N1 outbreak this spring and assume it is here this fall."

Last week, Clarksburg Elementary School reported 25 students out with flu symptoms, while Drury High School had about 125 students out sick.

Up until last week, the hospital was testing for influenza A and B. Influenza B is seasonal flu, while influenza A indicates another flu strain, possibly but not always the H1N1 virus.

The state Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control have told hospitals to stop testing for the flu, since treatment of the two strains -- seasonal and H1N1 -- is not any different. The organizations have also asked hospitals to begin a series of precautions and preventative measures, such as restricting visitors.

"A few simple changes like these will reduce the spread of flu and help us heal our patients faster and keep our visitors and staff healthy," said Jennifer Rush, vice president of quality for Northern Berkshire Healthcare, the hospital's parent corporation. "We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause but hope the community understands that these measures are necessary. The Centers for Disease Control has asked hospitals to consider restricting visitors, and we share that concern."

While the vast majority of flu cases have been only mild or moderate, Rush said, more than 80 percent of the severe cases have been in children ages 6 to 18.

Although swine flu is most likely already present in the community, Mickanin said people should still get the vaccination when it becomes available from the state.

"We have no history with this flu," she said. "We don't know if the cycle has peaked or if this is just the tip of the iceberg. We just don't know what the next few months are going to look like. What we do know is that immunity begins to build about a week after inoculation."

Although no public or school vaccination clinics have been announced locally, Mickanin said the hospital received its first shipment of the H1N1 flu shot last week and began inoculating high-risk health care workers. Another shipment of about 100 vials of vaccine, earmarked for health care workers, is expected to arrive this week.

"What we're hearing is that we should be prepared for the delivery of larger shipments over the next couple of weeks," Mickanin said. "We receive a three- to four-day advance notice."

Vaccines will then be distributed to high priority groups -- pregnant women, children under the age of 2, caregivers of infants, children under the age of 18, those younger than 24 with chronic illness and then anyone else with chronic or underlying illnesses, such as asthma, heart or liver disease, diabetes, cancer and immune-system issues.

Northern Berkshire Healthcare's Web site, www.nbhealth.

org, has updated flu information linked from the site's main page. Information includes a flu planning checklist, the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control, vaccination information and links to resources for businesses.

To reach Jennifer Huberdeau, e-mail jhuberdeau@thetranscript.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1010-39409795