News & Events: Media Releases
JHC key in pandemic planning and management
16 June 2009
Joondalup Health Campus has been actively preparing for a possible pandemic since November 2007, when the hospital was assigned by the Department of Health to be one of Perth’s four primary pandemic referral hospitals in WA.
Since then, JHC has developed a comprehensive plan covering the management of patients through the emergency department (which is now one of the busiest in the State, and preparing for a major redevelopment), the hospital wards and the possible establishment of a Flu Clinic, should the Department of Health direct one to be activated.
Staff in all areas of the hospital have been familiarised with the issues of a pandemic and the implications for them as individuals and health care workers.
Chief executive officer Kempton Cowan said he had been gratified by the number of staff who had committed to remain at work through a pandemic.
The JHC infection control team is also working closely with hospital managers and the Hospital Emergency Operation Centre to ensure staff are educated on the correct infection control procedures, including the use of personal protective clothing and proper hand hygiene, which are imperative in infection control and protecting patients, their families and staff.
JHC ‘flu stream’ emergency department patients
16 June 2009
Joondalup Health Campus implemented ‘flu streaming’ at the weekend to help relieve the growing pressure placed on the emergency department as a result of A/H1N1.
Flu streaming is not a general service for influenza patients, but is principally for the management of patients who need emergency care and who may be infectious.
Patients that present to the hospital ED with flu-like symptoms, and don’t require emergency care, are directed to a separate area behind the main ED where they are masked and offered antibacterial hand gel before being examined.
In the six hours the flu stream was operational on Friday 12 June, 166 people presented to the ED and approximately seven of these patients were flu streamed.
Between the hours of 8am and 11pm approximately 25 of the 219 emergency department attendances on Saturday; 44 of the 248 attendances on Sunday; and 36 of the 222 attendances on Monday were flu streamed.
To assist in the management of the acutely unwell, JHC would like to stress that the Department of Health is advising the public not to go to the emergency department or their GPs if they have a mild respiratory illness.
The advice is to stay at home and practice good hygiene, with plenty of hand washing and throwing away tissues used to catch coughs and sneezes.