Patient flow to YRMC returns to normal
Rush on hospital prompted by swine flu worries
The flow of patients to Yuma Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department slowed back to normal Tuesday after a rush Monday prompted by concerns over the swine flu virus, the hospital said.
In a 24-hour period beginning Monday, the hospital saw more than 330 patients who feared they had symptoms of the swine flu virus that surfaced recently in Mexico.
The deal with the patient volume, the hospital activated its hospital disaster plan, which includes the addition of an outdoor emergency treatment area for screening of potential swine flu patients.
The flow returned to normal Tuesday, said YRMC officials, who nonetheless asked for the community's help in minimizing unnecessary visits to the Emergency Room.
The hospital is urging parents to keep healthy children and family members away from the hospital to decrease their risk of exposure to illness.
Most cases of the swine flu are most appropriately cared for at home rather than at the hospital, and do not require hospitalization or testing, the hospital said.
For people who flu symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends they stay home from work or school, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them, and get plenty of rest and drink fluids.
YRMC has activated its Community Information Line, 336-1700, which will be updated to provide current information to the public. For additional information and current updates, visit the following websites: YRMC website www.yumaregional.org and www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
