What our patients should expect:
UMHS health centers and clinics are taking all necessary precautions to evaluate, treat, and prevent seasonal flu and novel H1N1 pandemic flu among patients, staff, and throughout our local communities. Below is a description of what our patients might expect:
Patients who call clinics to schedule an appointment for any purpose may be asked a series of questions to determine if they might have either type of flu and might be at high risk of complications from the flu.
Symptoms of either type of flu may include a fever of 100.5 F degrees or more (38 C degrees) and cough, headache, body aches, or running nose. Patients with these symptoms may be advised different things depending on other factors such as the patient's other medical conditions.
Only those patients who meet criteria provided by the Federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be tested to determine what type of flu they have.
If it is determined that a patient should be seen for evaluation, necessary steps will be taken to reduce the possibility that the patient might infect others. This means the patient will be asked to wear a mask and may be directed to a separate clinic entrance, waiting or exam room. Clinic staff seeing this patient will also wear a mask, as well as eye protection, gloves, and a gown. This is necessary to prevent the spread of virus in case the patient actually has H1N1 flu.
Clinicians may swab the nose of the patient for laboratory testing.
Clinicians may also notify local county public health department of the test to track the disease.
At this time, antiviral medications will be prescribed only for patients who meet criteria because of the severity of their illness or other underlying health conditions.
UMHS will continue to monitor this situation and update its diagnosis and treatment guidelines as necessary. If you have any questions, please contact your Primary Care Physician.
