Receiving care during flu season

SCARBOROUGH: Emergency Departments in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) typically experience higher patient volumes during the holiday season. This is partly attributed to the annual flu season, which often peaks during the holiday season. This year will be no exception.

 

The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) would like to remind the community that patients in the EDs are seen on a triaged basis, which means the most serious cases are seen first. If your health care needs are not an emergency, there are other health care providers and options available in the community that may be more appropriate, depending on a patient’s needs, including:

 

 

For more information on health care options and the flu, visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s web pages:

 

 

Visiting Patients at TSH

TSH would like to advise that if you are not feeling well, you should avoid visiting patients at the hospital. Instead, consider sending them a card or an email or give them a call. This will prevent the transmission of your cold/flu symptoms to others while they are in hospital.

 

Protecting Yourself and Others

The best way to prevent the flu is to get your flu shot. By getting the flu vaccination, you protect yourself, your family and friends. It’s available from most family physician offices, community health centres, walk-in clinics and pharmacies, and it’s your best line of defense.

 

And, be sure to wash your hands. An effective way to prevent the transmission of flu and cold symptoms is by ensuring proper hand hygiene – good hand washing practices will go a long way to keeping you and others healthy.