The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown is reporting fewer patients are
experiencing gastrointestinal illness-like symptoms on Unit 1 but visitor restrictions are still in place on the unit for another 48 hours.
Unit 1 was closed to visitors Monday after some patients in the unit, which houses orthopedic patients and some medical patients, developed diarrhea over the weekend.
Today the hospital announced Unit 1 will remain closed to visitors until Thursday morning, pending further reassessment.
No new patients have reported experiencing gastro-intestinal illness symptoms and so far, lab results have come back negative for common viruses which cause the symptoms.
"While lab results received to date have all tested negative for common viruses which cause gastrointestinal illness symptoms, such as the ones our patients were experiencing, we have determined that it is necessary to maintain the visitor restrictions currently in place as per infection control recommendations," said Dr. Rosemary Henderson, QEH medical director. “Our priority is ensuring patient and
staff safety which is why it is important that we are certain patients are no longer exhibiting symptoms before taking them off precautions and reopening the unit to visitors."
"It is extremely important that everyone coming to the hospital, including visitors and persons coming in for tests, x-rays or ambulatory procedures, clean their hands before and after entering a patient’s room, a department, and upon entering and leaving the facility," reiterated a news release from the hospital sent out today. "Alcohol hand-rinse stations are available throughout the building for this purpose."
Visitors to other nursing units at QEH are reminded that:
● General visiting hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
● Only two visitors at a time per patient (this includes children)
● Children under the age of 12 are to be accompanied by an adult (other than the patient)
Officials from the QEH will be providing a further update Thursday morning.
