Hospitals rein in flu

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 9, 2003

Hospitals from Everett to Seattle will begin asking people who are coughing or sneezing to put on surgical masks this week, the latest step to prevent the spread of viruses as influenza cases mount and flu vaccine supplies dry up.

Starting next week, patients arriving at Providence Everett Medical Center’s emergency department will be handed a letter explaining the request.

Dr. Cynthia Markus, who has worked at the emergency room for 28 years, said it’s the first time she’s seen such steps taken.

"Case by case, we’ve placed masks on people with contagious diseases such as tuberculosis," she said.

Now, it will be done routinely for anyone who is coughing.

"This is a responsible thing to do," Markus said. "We think 99 percent of patients will be reassured by this. We don’t want it to be misunderstood or have them feeling like we’re discriminating against them."

Clinical director Julie Zarn said the emergency department has treated a lot of flu patients in the past month.

"We’re trying really hard to prevent what we can, not get our staff sick from patients, and protect the patients from each other. It’s a big, open department," she said.

The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle will put up signs this week urging people with respiratory symptoms, even if they’re not patients, to put on masks to prevent the spread of flu viruses, said Pam Sowers, medical center spokeswoman.

"We feel it’s an important step people can take to protect the people around them," she said.

In addition, "comfort packs" are being prepared to hand out at the medical center and its associated clinics that include a surgical-style mask, tissues and a towelette in a plastic bag. The hope is that people will put the used tissues in the plastic bag and dispose of them in the trash, so they’re not left out where they can spread disease if touched by others.

"We want to make sure people have an opportunity to not spread their germs," Sowers said.

Stevens Hospital in Edmonds began handing out masks last week to sneezing and coughing patients in its emergency room or those being admitted to the hospital. The action was taken after a 29-year-old Edmonds man, who had been initially diagnosed with influenza a few days before, died in the emergency room.

Fifty-two patients treated at the hospital’s emergency room in the past week have tested positive for flu in initial tests, spokeswoman Beth Engle said. The hospital will soon begin posting signs announcing that masks will be given to anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Masks will be out at Valley General Hospital in Monroe where they are easily available, along with tips on the importance of covering the mouth while sneezing and good hand washing, spokeswoman Martha Dankers said.

Officials of Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington could not be reached for comment.

Gary Preston, an epidemiologist at Providence Everett Medical Center, said many people probably don’t realize how easily flu and other viruses can be spread when people cough into their hand and touch someone else.

"Physically cleaning, soap and water, is important," he said. "That’s the take-home message. Sanitation counts."

Preston said he hopes it won’t be a temporary measure. Such steps can play a key role in preventing transmission of respiratory infections other than flu, including whooping cough and SARS.

"If we’re smart … it will become part of our routine," he said.

Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.