Pneumococcal Infections
In recent weeks St. Paul's Hospital has seen an unusually high number of patients with severe pneumonia and blood stream infections (Invasive Pneumococcal Disease). Some of these patients have also been transferred to Mount Saint Joseph. Most of those affected are from the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and have compromised immune systems due to pre-existing health issues. Fortunately, this illness responds positively to appropriate antibiotic medications such as penicillin. To reduce the number of further infections, PHC is working with Vancouver Coastal Health to extend vaccination programs in the DTES, hospital emergency rooms and inpatient units. A PHC Response Team has been assembled to coordinate planning associated with this health issue. In the meantime, we expect that staff and physicians at St. Paul's and Mount Saint Joseph will be treating more patients with invasive pneumococcal disease. At this time there is no evidence of patient-to-patient or patient-to-staff transmission.
Staff at St. Paul's and Mount Saint Joseph are advised as follows:
Use standard precautions at all times. These include wearing gloves, gowns and, during procedures likely to cause splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids or secretions (i.e., intubation), face protection such as masks, goggles or face shield.
Staff who are immune-suppressed can receive the pneumococcal vaccine from their family physician. (Public health officers say that other staff immunization is not necessary.)
Practice good personal hygiene techniques such as thorough hand washing.
It is important that staff stay healthy, and it is encouraging that many staff have already had their flu shots. If you have not had a flu shot, please be advised that there is a flu clinic at St. Paul's Hospital on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm in Dining Room 1 and 2. After that date flu shots will be available upon request. To arrange for a flu shot, please call:
St. Paul's Hospital - 68455 or 68454
Mount Saint Joseph Hospital - 78540
Staff at St. Paul's and Mount Saint Joseph are advised as follows:
Use standard precautions at all times. These include wearing gloves, gowns and, during procedures likely to cause splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids or secretions (i.e., intubation), face protection such as masks, goggles or face shield.
Staff who are immune-suppressed can receive the pneumococcal vaccine from their family physician. (Public health officers say that other staff immunization is not necessary.)
Practice good personal hygiene techniques such as thorough hand washing.
It is important that staff stay healthy, and it is encouraging that many staff have already had their flu shots. If you have not had a flu shot, please be advised that there is a flu clinic at St. Paul's Hospital on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm in Dining Room 1 and 2. After that date flu shots will be available upon request. To arrange for a flu shot, please call:
St. Paul's Hospital - 68455 or 68454
Mount Saint Joseph Hospital - 78540