HRH cuts flu risk with new waiting area

By Ellen Bartlett
Special to the Pioneer Times
    Houlton Regional Hospital (HRH) has seen an increase in the amount of patients coming in with symptoms of influenza like-illness (ILI). For this reason hospital administration has met and designated a separate, monitored waiting area in hospital for patients who present with flu-like symptoms. This effort was made to decrease the risk of transmission to non-flu patients.
    Visitors age 18 and under have also been temporarily restricted until further notice for the same reason, to reduce their risk of contracting the H1N1 virus.
    As of Friday, H1N1 vaccine has been made available to the local school children at each school site. Seasonal flu vaccine was also made available to students. The seasonal flu clinics  finished on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
    If you, or a family member are in a priority group for H1N1 and have not yet received the vaccination, contact your medical provider and ask to be put on a list. Providers should begin to receive vaccine for priority, high risk patients in the near future.
    Ellen Bartlett, RN is the infection preventionist at Houlton Regional Hospital. She can be reached at 521-2340. The HRH public information line, 521-2210, has pre-recorded messages on current health issues.