GREENSBURG – A large influx of patients due to flu and other illnesses has kept staff of Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) busy for the last several days, but hospital representatives say the quality of patient care is unaffected.
DCMH Vice President of Patient Care Diane McKinney said physicians and emergency room staff have treated a large number of patients in recent days, many of whom reported experiencing flu-like symptoms. This condition is not at all rare at the moment as reported cases of influenza have been rampant across the state and throughout the country in recent weeks, according to a report from the Center for Disease Control released Monday. That report says 43 states are experiencing “high or widespread flu activity.” An associated press article published this week referred to the season’s flu outbreak as “an epidemic” and stated 36 Hoosiers have died as a result of the illness since the start of the flu season.
On a positive note, McKinney said DCMH is not experiencing a shortage of oseltamavir, an anti-viral medication used to treat flu symptom. Shortages of that medication, commonly called “Tamiflu,” were reported at pharmacies nationwide during the last week of December.
McKinney said taking measures such as staying home when possible and washing one’s hands often offer protection against contracting the flu, as do flu shots.
DCMH Marketing and Communications Manager Lynzee McDowell said flu shots can be obtained by contacting the DCMH Immunization Clinic. The clinic is open from 2 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday and visitors are asked to bring insurance cards as well as the immunization records of any children to be immunized. The clinic is located in the DCMH Medical Arts Plaza at 955 North Michigan Avenue in Greensburg. The phone number is 812-222-0422.
The Decatur County Health Department also offers flu shots, though dosage units are in short supply for the rest of the season, Public Health Nurse Diane Berry-Stewart said Wednesday.
Berry-Stewart said the Health Department began the flu season with about 750 flu vaccines for adults, but that number has dwindled to barely more than a dozen as the end of the season inches closer. Approximately 35 children’s flu shots remain at the Health Department.
The Public Health Nurse said the majority of people receiving flu vaccines locally have been walk-ins – which are still welcome – but she encouraged those seeking a flu shot to call ahead if possible in order to be certain someone will be on-hand to administer the vaccine.
Berry-Stewart also said the Health Department will offer children’s immunization clinics from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 21, Feb. 4 and Feb. 25. She encouraged parents of children attending school on those dates not to remove their kids from classes early in order to visit the clinic, since the Health Department will be open until 4 p.m.In addition to flu cases, DCMH’s McKinney said other medical issues hospital staff have treated recently include respiratory problems and chronic illnesses and disorders. Patient ages range from seniors to children.
The Vice President of Patient Care noted that ER personnel have been bustling as well. On Friday alone, Decatur County EMS was dispatched for 20 ambulance runs, McKinney said. In any case, nursing staff are scheduled based on the number of patients in need of care, and each nurse typically monitors four to five patients – and sometimes more — during their shift, McKinney said. This staffing procedure is intended to reflect a ratio between patients and nurses that can be adjusted based on the hospital’s number of patients.
“Everyone is doing their part and we’re very fortunate to have the team we have here in Decatur County,” McKinney said of hospital staff. “Our staff is here and they’re prepared,” she continued. “We all look for these busy days.”
No matter the malady or the number of patients on-hand, McKinney and McDowell said DCMH staff members are committed to continue providing the best care they can.
“We’re here to serve the community and make our patients better,” McKinney said. “Our physicians and nurses are constantly evaluating our patients’ health and whether or not those patients should stay here or be treated at another facility. We’re going to make sure our patients are taken care of in the most appropriate setting.”
“Come here if you’re sick and we’ll take care of you,” McDowell added. “That’s our vision entirely.”
Greensburg Daily News