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Clinics see surge of patients, shortage of vaccines |
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Wednesday, 21 October 2009 |
By MELANIE MOORE
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BLACKFOOT—Health clinics throughout Bingham County are experiencing a surge in patients, due in large part to the flu.
“It’s just been crazy,” Director of Nurses at Blackfoot Medical Center Judy Kunz said. The Medical Center has had to add extra staff to accommodate the influx of patients. As many as 150 more patients than normal received treatment at the Medical Center on several days in the last week.
In addition, more than 60 people are being testing for Influenza A each day. Doctors and nurses are mostly seeing seasonal flu, but have also diagnosed cases of H1N1. Some patients have been hospitalized at Bingham Memorial Hospital, and others transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Kunz said.
Because of the increase in patients and the increase in flu cases, Blackfoot Medical Center is asking anyone not feeling well, especially those with a fever or cough, to ask for a mask when they check in. In addition, pregnant women and others at a higher risk for catching the flu should also wear masks.
Unfortunately, the Medical Center no longer has regular flu shots and does not anticipate receiving any more. For children under the age of 9 who have received their first flu shot, the center has saved second doses. They are expecting H1N1 shots to arrive in mid-November.
“This has been a record year for us giving out flu shots,” Kunz said. They have administered approximately 2,800 doses.
Firth Medical has seen their patient numbers double, and many patients have flu-related symptoms. At Shelly Family Medical there has also been an increase in patients with flu symptoms. Both Firth Medical and Shelly Family Medical have ran out of flu shots as well.
Bingham Memorial still has regular flu shots available. The Southeastern District Health Department will begin H1N1 vaccination clinics next week.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 22 October 2009 )
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