Flu assessment clinic opens Wednesday at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital

A flu assessment clinic opens Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. The purpose of the clinic is to ease congestion in the emergency department by people with flu-like illness and to help prevent the spread of flu in the hospital.

The flu assessment clinic will be located in the Ambulatory Care area from 1-5 p.m. People with flu-like symptoms are to go to the assessment clinic and not the emergency department.

People with mild to moderate flu symptoms who wish to see a health care provider are asked to visit the flu assessment clinic instead of going to the emergency department. No appointment is needed but bring your health card.

The flu assessment clinic will be open seven days a week. Outside of the hours of the clinic, people will be directed to the emergency room.

Health professionals will assess patients for flu and H1N1, and provide information and treatment, if required. Patients with more severe symptoms may be sent to the emergency department. The assessment centre will not provide flu shot immunizations or test people to confirm H1N1.

Flu-like symptoms are fever and/or cough, and one or more of the following: unusual tiredness, headache, muscle or joint aches, sore throat. Children under five may have vomiting and diarrhea.

People with severe flu-like symptoms, which may include shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, severe or persistent vomiting, high fever and confusion, should call 911 or immediately go to the emergency department.

NOTE: Community H1N1 Flu Shot Clinics for those in priority high risk groups continue this week. The next clinics are: Saulnierville Legion: Thursday, Nov. 5 from 12 pm to 7 pm; and Digby Curling Centre: Monday, Nov. 9 from 12 pm to 7 pm

People who are at the greatest risk for H1N1 need the vaccine first. The priority, high risk groups are: • Pregnant women and women up to 4 weeks postpartum • All children aged 6 months to 59 months • People living in First Nations communities • Health-care workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities and home-care agencies who provide direct, hands on, care to patients. This includes family doctors, family practice nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians (South West Health is working with our community partners to immunize this high priority group).