The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston will screen all patients for potential exposure and symptoms of swine flu starting today. Screening will be conducted at all of UTMB’s island and mainland health care facilities. “These are precautionary measures designed to protect our employees, patients and the people who live in our area,” said Dr. Joan Richardson, UTMB’s emergency preparedness officer.
UTMB employees who have first contact with patients will wear a mask, gloves, protective eyewear and a gown. They will ask a series of questions to determine if the patient has any swine flu symptoms. People who may be at risk for the swine flu virus will receive the best possible care and advice. Screening will continue until further notice.
Patients will be asked whether they have a fever, a cough, a sore throat, muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, headache and whether they have traveled to Mexico in the past seven days.
“We are not taking this action lightly,” Richardson said. “We feel that we are at a stage where prevention, precaution and protection are the best course for us to follow.”
The World Health Organization yesterday upgraded its pandemic alert for swine flu to Phase 5, one step short of a full pandemic.
Richardson said UTMB would continue to monitor the swine flu outbreak.
“The screening process is just another step in the protocols that we have in place to identify, isolate and treat patients. We are fully prepared to care for patients with swine flu, if necessary,” she said.
Individuals can reduce the risk of possibly transmitting the virus by continuing such safe practices as washing hands frequently and coughing or sneezing into tissues or shirtsleeves. For more information about swine flu on the Web, see UTMB's Swine Flu and Advisories or visit the Galveston County Health District.