Hospital announcement about SARS screening stations

SARS screening stations at Sault Area Hospital will be disassembled starting Friday, hospital officials announced today.

As Ontario's hospitals move toward what's being called a "new normal" for infection control, handwashing will remain as a permanent precaution for all hospital visitors.

The following is the full text of a news release issued by hospital officials:

**************************************************************** Update # 6 - New directives for the recovery phase of SARS

May 15, 2003 - SAH has received new directives from the provincial operations centre regarding SARS.

Hospitals have now entered a transitional phase to what has been called the new normal for hospital infection control.

Effective May 16, 2003, SAH will be winding down its screening stations.

Anyone entering SAH will be required to follow self-screening instructions that will be posted at all open entrances.

Those who have travelled to affected areas and have symptoms of unexplained muscle aches, severe fatigue, headache, recent cough, shortness of breath worse than usual or fever will be directed to the Emergency Department.

Current visitor restrictions will be relaxed. Vendors, delivery personnel and members of the faith community may now enter the buildings.

Visitors who are feeling unwell or are experiencing unexplained respiratory symptoms will not be permitted to visit.

Only two visitors per patient at any one time will be allowed.

For inpatients, visiting hours are from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

No visitors will be permitted for Emergency patients.

Hospitals have been encouraged to review their visitation policies to reflect new infection control considerations.

A permanent visitation policy will be developed in the near future.

SAH must also continue to limit the number of entrances into both facilities.

The following entrances will now be open:

General Site

* Rehab entrance * Emergency entrance * Employee entrance (east side)

Plummer Site

* Renal entrance * Riverview Centre * Main lobby (north side) * Cafeteria entrance

SAH stresses the importance of handwashing as a permanent practice when visiting the hospital.

Handwashing remains an effective way of preventing the spread of certain diseases.

All area residents are advised to wash their hands before and after visiting the hospital.

The community's support has contributed to a successful campaign to prevent the spread of this disease.

SAH thanks its staff, physicians, and the community for their support during this difficult time.

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