Protecting Our Community
This is the first of on-going communication and education regarding illnesses that are affecting the upper and lower respiratory systems.
There has been so much information on the news about the Coronavirus and between the media outlets and the CDC and KDHE we in healthcare are on overload. I want to take a minute and share with our community that much of what is being put forth about the Coronovirus also relates to Influenza A and B so I want to remind all of us of the following:
- Whether the flu or Coronavirus (COVID-!9) you can protect yourself by staying home when you are sick. Stay home if you are experiencing fever, cough or other signs of illness. Monitor your symptoms.
- IF YOUR ARE SICK AND THINK YOU NEED MEDICAL CARE, CONSIDER CALLING YOUR PROVIDER. If after clinic hours, come to the emergency department. If you are having severe respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing or if you have a medical emergency call 911.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Restrict activities, such as church, shopping and eating out. Avoid large social events, such as conferences, concerts and sporting events.
- Distance yourself from others and limit or avoid contact with others if you are sick to help protect those who are not sick and those who may suffer from chronic diseases with lowered resistance to infection.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Clean surfaces, such as door knobs, keyboards, phones, tables and counters every day.
- Stay connected by reaching out to family and friends by phone, text, e-mail.
- Check on each other remotely as much as possible.
So much focus has been on the Coronavirus and there is much we are still learning about that virus. In the meantime we want to provide information and help you prevent the spread of whatever is making you sick.
Isabel Schmedemann, RN, BSN, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Herington Hospital