Local Hospitals Enact New Rules to Keep Flu From Spreading
By: Ashley Hinson
Updated: January 1, 2013
They're now taking extra precautions to prevent spreading the virus in their hospital.
"This year it's been mandatory that all employees need to have the flu shot," said UMC Spokesman Eric Finley. "And so those that don't like to not to have the flu shot, they are required to wear a mask while they're seeing patients in the hospital. We've also required all our vendors who are frequently in and out of the hospital to receive that flu shot as well."
Finley said requiring the staff get the shot has helped so far.
UMC is also trying to avoid spreading the flu outside the hospital. "We've also offered any patients who have not had the flu shot we've offered that flu shot to them before they leave to try to control that once they get out of the hospital," said Finley. "Anytime you have a business, or a place where people come in and out quite a bit you spread germs more often so we are really trying to take steps to avoid that as much as we can."
For visitors, UMC hangs posters around the hospital to educate on hand washing and its ability to prevent spreading the flu.
"You know the flu is serious," Finley said. "People can die from the flu. About 220,000 people die from the flu every single year. It's primarily people who are older or younger, people who already have some type of immune deficiency. But we do try to get them into an area to provide them the very best care."
