Flu Surge Season Already Impacting Erie Shores HealthCare

Erie Shores HealthCare is asking for the community’s help to reduce the spread of infection as the flu season is expected to be upon us earlier than in previous years.

This past weekend in the ESHC Emergency Department – staff and physicians have seen a spike in patients presenting with flu like symptoms and cardiac issues – earlier than last year – typically a spike in patient volumes in seen in late October.

ESHC is working with the LHIN in collaboration with the additional hospitals within region on surge preparedness to ensure that there is capacity and flow throughout the system.
“Flu season brings challenges within the hospital as a result of the increased acuity and volumes – however, we are committed to working on internal processes to maintain flow and capacity to ensure the impact to our patients in minimal”. – Kristin Kennedy, VP Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive

Staff at Erie Shores HealthCare will be stepping up prevention and monitoring during the peak of the season. In addition, we will kick off our Flu Shot Campaign for staff vaccinations over the coming weeks.

“While every flu season comes with its own challenges, and predicting how severe it will be is very difficult, we are certainly alarmed by what we’ve seen this year in Australia. We will continue to treat every patient individually, but this will keep influenza top of mind and reinforces the need to make preparations. We all need to practice our best prevention strategies: get the flu shot, wash your hands, and stay home when you’re sick. If we look out for one another throughout the season, we will have the best chance of staying healthy as a whole.” – Dr. Ross Moncur, Chief of Staff

ESHC will be launching #FluPrevention Fridays on Social Media – a campaign designed to relate, educate and inform patients of the seriousness of Flu season and tactics and preventative measures to take.