THUNDER BAY – Health – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), in consultation with Thunder Bay District Health Unit, has declared a Gastrointestinal Outbreak (symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) on one unit. As a result, 1A (Medicine) is closed to new admissions and transfers. In addition, Visitors for patients on 1A (rooms 100 – 119) are being restricted to one partner in care per patient.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre closes 1A Unit
The closure is in effect starting on February 8 2013.
All visitors are asked to refrain from visiting if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
These precautionary measures are in place to ensure that the health and protection of TBRHSC patients and staff is maintained.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre thanks the community for its co-operation and reminds the public that hand washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub is the best defense to prevent the spread of infection.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
In addition to the flu shot, the Health Unit reminds the public that they can prevent getting and spreading infections by:
- Washing hands often, for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Covering coughs/sneezes with the upper sleeve if no tissue is available.
- Putting all used tissues in the garbage right away.
- Staying at home if sick to avoid spreading infections to others.
Washing your hands is critical to killing bacteria and germs.
Why is hand washing important?
Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults in places such as schools, daycares and workplaces.
- Wet your hands with warm running water.
- Add soap, and then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for at least 15 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
- Rinse your hands well under warm running water. Leave the water running.
- Dry your hands with a paper towel.
- Turn off the water with the same paper towel and throw it in the garbage.
