The majority of patients on Unit 3 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) have recovered from gastrointestinal illness-like symptoms as the hospital looks to lift visitor restrictions the first of next week, says QEH Executive Director Rick Adams.
“We can say with great certainty that the gastrointestinal virus that made a number of patients ill on Unit 3 over the last two weeks has run its course. We’ve had no new cases of patients experiencing symptoms in over 48 hours and most patients who were symptomatic have fully recovered,” said Adams. “In our discussions with experts from the Infectious Disease Program at the QEII in Halifax, they reconfirmed that we took all appropriate and necessary steps, including limiting visitation, to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and visiting public.”
Hospital officials have decided to continue to limit visitation on Unit 3 to immediate family members only through the weekend with the following precautions in place:
• Only two (2) visitors at one time per patient (this includes children)
• Visits should be kept brief (15 minutes)
• Follow general visiting hours
“While we feel confident that the virus is no longer a concern, it was strongly recommended by experts with the Infectious Disease Program and by our own Infection Prevention and Control staff that we maintain visitor precautions on the unit for an additional 72 hours to allow staff to monitor traffic flow and patients to ensure we are truly out of the woods,” added Adams.
General visitation on Unit 3 will commence on Monday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m. as per the hospital’s visitor guidelines.
The general public is reminded that it remains important that everyone coming to the hospital, including visitors and persons coming in for tests, x-rays or ambulatory procedures, clean their hands before and after entering a patient’s room, a department, and upon entering and leaving the facility. Alcohol hand-rinse stations are available throughout the building for this purpose. Handwashing is one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs and illnesses.
Hospital officials thank staff, patients and the public for their understanding and cooperation over the last two weeks.