Sick? Hospital urges exploring alternatives before visiting

NEWS RELEASE SAULT AREA HOSPITAL ************************* The flu season is in full swing, resulting in high volumes of patients presenting at the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) Emergency Department (ED).

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL

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The flu season is in full swing, resulting in high volumes of patients presenting at the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) Emergency Department (ED).

Coupled with extremely large numbers of admitted patients, this has resulted in back-ups in the ED and longer-than-normal wait times for individuals with non-urgent or less urgent conditions.

Those with non-urgent conditions are advised to contact or visit their primary care physician or nurse practitioner before visiting the ED to avoid unnecessary delays for themselves and others.

Same day or next day appointments are usually available for patients of Group Health Centre (GHC), Superior Family Health Team (SFHT) and the Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

In addition, the Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic is currently registering patients who do not have a primary care provider.

Group Health Centre patients may also choose to access the GHC Walk-In or Same Day Clinics.

Residents are also reminded that they can contact Telehealth Ontario toll-free at 1-866-797-0000 for free access to a Registered Nurse who can assess symptoms and help decide next steps.

Patients with urgent – or suspected urgent – conditions should still report to the Emergency Department where they will continue to be seen on a priority basis.

For those patients coming to the ED, please bring along your OHIP card and all medications in the original containers if possible.

Anyone who has not received this year’s flu vaccination is asked to wear a mask during their visit to help curb the spread of infection and to wash their hands with the solution provided.

Flu vaccination and good hand hygiene are the best protection against acquiring and transmitting the flu.

SAH wishes to recognize and thank the Group Health Centre, Superior Family Health Team, Algoma Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic all the primary care physicians/providers in the community who are making every effort to be available for patient visits during this critical time.

Their commitment to their patients and the community is evident and appreciated.

For more information about SAH, visit www.sah.on.ca

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