1st Annual SANE Golf Tournament
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UMH Stands Down Active Screening Procedures for Swine Flu
Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) still has not yet been confirmed west of San Antonio. Further monitoring of the distribution and virulence suggest that aggressive screening at the hospital is no longer required. Visitors are now asked to screen themselves and are offered masks to reduce the risk of spread of airborne contact with the virus.
Nearly 1300 patients, visitors and staff were screened during the active surveillance process. Three patients were found to have Influenza A and were briefly hospitalized for symptom control. All were treated and discharged to their homes.
There has been a nearly 20 percent increase in visits to the emergency department. Increased staffing helped reduce wait times on average. The hospital staff appreciated the visitors’ tolerance for the screening and the acceptance of the masks and increased handwashing asked of them.
Hospital administrator, Jim Buckner, noted that the hospital staff responded to the potential pandemic threat with great professionalism and determination to protect its patients, visitors and staff. “We learned a great deal, not only about our own ability to respond, but also about the state and federal abilities to respond to a pandemic.”
For media reference:
Governor Perry Issues Disaster Proclamation for Swine Influenza
April 29, 2009
I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, do hereby certify that as a consequence of confirmed cases of Swine Influenza A (swH1N1) in certain parts of Texas, a public health emergency exists throughout the entire State of Texas involving Swine Influenza A that threatens or has significant potential to threaten the health, safety and security of the citizens of Texas.
THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby declare a state of disaster based on the existence of such threat, and direct that all necessary measures both public and private as authorized under Section 418.017 of the code be implemented to meet that threat.
As provided in Section 418.016 of the code, all rules and regulations that may inhibit or prevent prompt response to this threat are suspended for the duration of the threat.
In accordance with the statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my Office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 29th day of April, 2009.
RICK PERRY
Governor
Governor
