Virus infects largest inpatient mental health center in Omaha
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2008
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Part of the largest inpatient psychiatric unit in Omaha resumed admitting patients Tuesday afternoon, but most of the facility remained quarantined because of a contagious gastrointestinal virus that sickened people there.
Alegent Health said it was still trying to determine how the virus got into the 65-bed unit at Immanuel Medical Center in northwest Omaha.
Alegent officials say there have been no new cases of the virus diagnosed in the past 24 hours since nine people became ill. One nurse and eight patients got sick earlier this week from what officials believed was a norovirus.
The hospital reopened one of the psychiatric unit's four pods Tuesday afternoon. But that pod had only five available beds, so it still may be difficult for people in the community to get the inpatient psychiatric treatment they need.
Officials said the virus had not spread to the rest of the hospital as of Tuesday. It helps that the outbreak occurred in the psychiatric unit, which is relatively self-contained.
There were 44 patients total in the psychiatric unit on Tuesday morning, said hospital spokeswoman Kelly Grinnell.
Alegent issued a health alert about the outbreak because of what it means for inpatient psychiatric care in Omaha, said Ann Schumacher, Immanuel's chief operating officer.
She said Alegent was aware of 10 people needing inpatient care but for whom Immanuel couldn't find beds at other hospitals.
"The significance to the community is that Immanuel has been a safety net for mental health," Schumacher said. "On any given day, we have mental health needs that far surpass our capacity."
Typically, Immanuel admits 10 to 14 psychiatric patients a day, and the 65-bed unit is usually full.
There are 135 beds available for inpatient psychiatric care throughout Omaha and neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa.
A new 64-bed psychiatric facility, called the Lasting Hope Recovery Center, is scheduled to open in Omaha next month.
Alegent's medical director of infection control, Richard Starlin, said the contagion at Immanuel causes uncontrollable vomiting, severe diarrhea, headaches and fever.
Alegent had not confirmed the virus' identity Tuesday, but Starlin said doctors are highly suspicious it is a norovirus.
Health officials say norovirus outbreaks are common at schools, hotels and other places where groups gather, including hospitals. And Starlin said norovirus is one of the most common causes of the stomach flu.
Early last month, two hospitals in Greensboro, N.C., were struck and had to turn away visitors but could still admit patients.
Last week, a cruise ship returning to San Diego from a 10-day run down the Mexican coast reported that a norovirus had sickened 104 passengers and six crew members of its nearly 1,800 passengers and crew.
The virus can be transmitted after touching contaminated objects, by direct contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food.
Starlin said most household cleaners will not kill the norovirus, so Immanuel had to switch to a cleaner with bleach for the psychiatric unit.
The Nebraska Department of Health cites the following tips for avoiding the virus:
-- Frequently wash hands, especially after toilet visits or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
-- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach mixture or a bleach-based cleanser.
-- Wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated.
-- Infected people should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for three days after they recover.
On the Net:
Immanuel Medical Center: http://www.alegent.com/body.cfm?id
52
Nebraska Department of Health norovirus site: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/han/norovirus
Alegent Health said it was still trying to determine how the virus got into the 65-bed unit at Immanuel Medical Center in northwest Omaha.
Alegent officials say there have been no new cases of the virus diagnosed in the past 24 hours since nine people became ill. One nurse and eight patients got sick earlier this week from what officials believed was a norovirus.
The hospital reopened one of the psychiatric unit's four pods Tuesday afternoon. But that pod had only five available beds, so it still may be difficult for people in the community to get the inpatient psychiatric treatment they need.
Officials said the virus had not spread to the rest of the hospital as of Tuesday. It helps that the outbreak occurred in the psychiatric unit, which is relatively self-contained.
There were 44 patients total in the psychiatric unit on Tuesday morning, said hospital spokeswoman Kelly Grinnell.
Alegent issued a health alert about the outbreak because of what it means for inpatient psychiatric care in Omaha, said Ann Schumacher, Immanuel's chief operating officer.
She said Alegent was aware of 10 people needing inpatient care but for whom Immanuel couldn't find beds at other hospitals.
"The significance to the community is that Immanuel has been a safety net for mental health," Schumacher said. "On any given day, we have mental health needs that far surpass our capacity."
Typically, Immanuel admits 10 to 14 psychiatric patients a day, and the 65-bed unit is usually full.
There are 135 beds available for inpatient psychiatric care throughout Omaha and neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa.
A new 64-bed psychiatric facility, called the Lasting Hope Recovery Center, is scheduled to open in Omaha next month.
Alegent's medical director of infection control, Richard Starlin, said the contagion at Immanuel causes uncontrollable vomiting, severe diarrhea, headaches and fever.
Alegent had not confirmed the virus' identity Tuesday, but Starlin said doctors are highly suspicious it is a norovirus.
Health officials say norovirus outbreaks are common at schools, hotels and other places where groups gather, including hospitals. And Starlin said norovirus is one of the most common causes of the stomach flu.
Early last month, two hospitals in Greensboro, N.C., were struck and had to turn away visitors but could still admit patients.
Last week, a cruise ship returning to San Diego from a 10-day run down the Mexican coast reported that a norovirus had sickened 104 passengers and six crew members of its nearly 1,800 passengers and crew.
The virus can be transmitted after touching contaminated objects, by direct contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food.
Starlin said most household cleaners will not kill the norovirus, so Immanuel had to switch to a cleaner with bleach for the psychiatric unit.
The Nebraska Department of Health cites the following tips for avoiding the virus:
-- Frequently wash hands, especially after toilet visits or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
-- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach mixture or a bleach-based cleanser.
-- Wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated.
-- Infected people should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for three days after they recover.
On the Net:
Immanuel Medical Center: http://www.alegent.com/body.cfm?id
52
Nebraska Department of Health norovirus site: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/han/norovirus
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