To minimize the spread of influenza this, fall and winter, Lourdes Health and Trios Health are encouraging all employees, medical personnel and community members to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, with any age-appropriate flu vaccine. If you are considering a nasal spray flu vaccine, it is important to know that this option is approved by the CDC for use in non-pregnant individuals, ages two through 49, and that there is a precaution against this option for those with certain underlying medical conditions.
“It is critically important to stay up to date on both your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters,” said Kena Chase, chief nursing officer (CNO) at Lourdes Health and Interim chief nursing officer (CNO) at Trios Health. “I highly recommend that every person receive a flu vaccination – and a COVID-19 vaccination or up-to-date booster – if you have not already done so. It is one of the smartest decisions you can make to prioritize your health and your family’s health. Being vaccinated significantly decreases the likelihood of catching these diseases and helps to minimize symptoms if you do get sick.”
The best ways to protect against the flu and other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, are to:
• Get vaccinated and encourage your friends and family to do the same, especially those at greater risk for serious flu-related complications (children younger than five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and those with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung diseases and more).
• Practice good health habits. Avoid close contact with others and stay home when you are sick; practice good hand hygiene; cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If prescribed by a physician, take antiviral drugs to treat flu and COVID-19.
In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and to help prevent the spread of infection, Lourdes Health and Trios Health also ask the community to be mindful when visiting friends and loved ones in the hospital. Specifically:
• If you have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough or runny nose, please do not visit.
• Remember to wash your hands before entering and exiting a patient’s room and after leaving the hospital.
• If you are in the hospital for tests or procedures and have a flu-like illness (fever over 100 degrees with cough or sore throat), please wear a mask.
Lourdes Health and Trios Health are committed to its mission of making communities healthier by protecting patients, employees and volunteers, and limiting the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses in our community. For more information about the flu and effective prevention methods, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
About Lourdes Health: Established on September 24, 1916 by the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet, Lourdes Health has been caring for our community for more than a century. With more than 6 locations serving the community, Lourdes is known as a compassionate, innovative healthcare leader. Lourdes is a for-profit organization following the directives and mission of the Catholic Church. Our health system employs nearly 850 associates with over 200 physicians on Medical Staff. For more information, visit www.YourLourdes.com and visit Lourdes Health’s Facebook page.
About Trios Health: Trios Health, a UW Medicine Community Health Partner, operates a 111-bed hospital on its Southridge campus in Kennewick. Trios Medical Group serves a growing medical staff network of providers throughout the Tri-Cities and includes practices and services at 10 Care Centers and one Urgent Care Center. Our health system, established in 1952, is a sister facility to Lourdes Health in Pasco. For more information, visit us at www.TriosHealth.org or follow us on Facebook.
