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The tripledemic has arrived at our hospitals
Influenza, RSV and rising COVID cases are packing emergency departments. Here’s how you can stay safe — and protect others.
You’ve seen the news and you’ve felt the unrelenting pressure of our wintery weather.
Respiratory illness has impacted Southern Oregon and Asante in a significant way. Urgent cares, PCPs and our ED are full.
We’ve seen unprecedented numbers of influenza patients admitted within our hospitals, ranging from 20 to 25 patients daily. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is affecting pediatric populations and COVID numbers are creeping back up, causing concern for bed capacity around the state.
Asante is working closely with community partners and local health authorities to support messaging and find solutions to ensure our community gets the care it needs.
Asante’s employee flu vaccination rate averages 70%, far below our annual target of 90% and our preferred goal of 100%. How can you stay healthy? For starters, if you can get immunized against seasonal influenza and COVID-19, do so. Vaccination is particularly important for people at higher risk of severe complications from the flu. It’s safe and convenient to get your flu shot and your COVID-19 vaccine or booster at the same time.
Asante Employee Health offers free flu vaccinations for employees from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 520 SW Ramsey Ave., in Grants Pass. and 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2630 E. Barnett Road, Suite A, in Medford.
You can also schedule an appointment for a flu/COVID vaccination at an APP primary care clinic through MyChart.
The general public — those 6 months and older — can access the flu vaccine through their medical provider, Jackson County Public Health, Josephine County Public Health and many retail pharmacies. To find a nearby flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic, visit vaccines.gov or call (800) 232-0233.
Vaccination is only part of our safety equation. There are other simple steps you can take to prevent the spread of these viruses:
- Clean your hands when entering and leaving a patient’s room — always.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover your cough and nose with a tissue or your arm. Batman cough!
- Stay home when ill.
- Clean and disinfect objects you frequently touch, such as pens, stethoscopes or shared equipment.
Infection prevention is a team sport and it starts with our care providers. This season, please protect our patients, your loved ones and yourself.
If you have a question, please contact the author or relevant department directly.
