PROVIDENCE, RI — R.I. Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott is urging Rhode Islanders to consult their doctor before going to the hospital for flu treatment as Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital experience long wait times from high patient demand, some attributable to flu.
Alexander-Scott said the department is also working with emergency services to direct patients to other less taxed hospitals in the state where possible. The DOH has sent messages to EMS teams letting them know that stable patients should be transported to the next closest hospital emergency department that is not experiencing high volumes.
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“We are having conversations daily with leadership internally and emergency medical services to make sure they’re up to speed and productive,” Alexander-Scott said during a press call on this year’s flu season, which has been severe in some areas of the country.
Alexander-Scott said people who are experiencing flu symptoms should consult with their primary care doctor before deciding where to go for treatment. Only those at severe risk for complications from flu should be visiting the hospital for treatment, she said. According to the DOH website, people at such severe risk include those with diabetes, who are pregnant, suffer from chronic lung diseases such as asthma, and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart disease, and weakened immune systems.
Most people with flu symptoms should visit their doctor, or a walk-in clinic for treatment, Alexander-Scott said.
“Certainly, some flu cases absolutely necessitate a visit to the emergency department. But we have been trying to educate people that many illnesses and injuries, including some less severe cases of the flu, are best treated by a primary care provider or in an urgent care clinic, where you’re less likely to encounter lines,” said Joseph Wendelken, public information officer for the R.I. Department of Health.
Nation-wide, the Centers for Disease Control reports this flu season has been shaping up to be very active, with a high number of hospitalizations nationally, particularly among people older than 65. There have been 20 pediatric deaths nationally thus far this flu season, Wendelken said.
The DOH reported two influenza-related deaths in Rhode Island Jan. 8. Since then, the number of influenza-related deaths has climbed to 7. At last report, there were 295 hospitalizations related to the flu. The increase in reported deaths took place between the weeks of Dec. 31, 2016 – Jan. 6, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2018 – Jan. 13, 2018.
Last week, the DOH announced that cases of flu in Rhode Island are widespread, triggering the requirement that unvaccinated health care workers in hospitals and health care facilities wear surgical masks. Widespread influenza is declared with outbreaks of influenza and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half the regions of the state.
The CDC reports there is high flu activity in many states, mostly in the south and west. In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, flu activity is characterized as moderate. The balance of New England states are reporting minimal flu activity, according to the report.
Nationwide, the incidence of influenza-like illnesses is 5.75 percent of reported illnesses, with Rhode Island at 3.16 percent. New England states as a whole are at 2.88 percent.
Alexander-Scott said there is plenty of both anti-viral drugs and flu vaccine for treating flu in Rhode Island, the latter of which remains the best defense against the flu.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
