Oregon Hospitals Collaborate on Swine Flu Emergency Response

Because Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, OAHHS recommends following steps to minimize the exposure to the Swine Flu.

To avoid getting sick, cover over your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Photo courtesy: indoorairalliance.org

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - The Center for Disease Control, Department of Health and Human Service, Oregon's Department of Human Services, and the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, are working together to facilitate information to the state's hospitals and patients about the implications of Swine Flu.

"Oregon's community hospitals are committed to being partners with state and federal health officials when it comes to informing and managing the well-being of our patients," stated Diane Waldo, OAHHS director of clinical and quality services.

"OAHHS has spent a considerable amount of time working with hospitals around emergency preparedness and will do what is necessary to aid in informing the general public."

Because Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, OAHHS recommends the following steps to minimize the exposure to the Swine Flu include:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

- If in non-clinical settings, try to avoid close contact with sick people.

- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

OAHHS has placed information on its website, oahhs.org/flu to assist the general public about what it can do in identifying and reporting potential symptoms of this sickness.

"We have also placed information linking to the HHS and CDC websites," Andy Van Pelt, Director of Communications for OAHHS said.

Founded in 1934, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon's innovative health care industry.

In addition to 58 acute care hospitals, OAHHS membership includes 10 health systems and related health plans, 16 affiliated allied organizations and 32 associate members representing health care consulting and other service companies.