St. Mary’s Declares Gastrointestinal Outbreak on Third Floor Inpatient Cardiology Unit (3 East)
St. Mary’s General Hospital has today declared a gastrointestinal outbreak on its inpatient Cardiology unit (3 East). Three patients and six staff members have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms which include, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping. The unit is located on the east end of the third floor.
Any patients being admitted to the Cardiology unit or transferring to it from another hospital are being informed of the increase in gastrointestinal activity on the unit. The Cardiology unit continues to be open to two visitors per patient, in accordance with St. Mary’s visitor policy.
The affected patients are in isolation as a precaution and are being monitored. Staff from the unit who report symptoms are advised not to return to work until 48 hours after their last episode of symptoms.
Gastrointestinal illness is circulating in the community and the public is asked refrain from visiting if they are sick. If you are visiting, use hand sanitizer prior to entering and exiting both the unit and patient rooms. Check in with the nursing station on arrival. If visiting someone in isolation, please make appropriate use of the recommended personal protective equipment.
The Infection Prevention and Control team at St. Mary’s is working closely with Waterloo Region Public Health to contain the outbreak. Enhanced cleaning and infection control procedures are in place and will continue until the outbreak is over.
Updates will be provided as they are available.
Contact:
Anne Kelly
Manager, Communications
519-749-6578, ext. 1501
226-339-1903 (mobile)
akelly@smgh.ca