Healthcare Providers Step Up Infection Control Measures

ChannelNewsAsia ran this story on 28 April 2009:

Healthcare providers step up infection control measures
By Cheryl Lim

SINGAPORE: Healthcare providers in Singapore are stepping up control measures for infectious disease. This is part of a preparedness plan, should the global swine flu situation take a turn for the worse.

Infection control measures are already in place at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). Patients and visitors to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department and outpatient clinics are being screened for flu-like symptoms, as well as their travel histories to the United States, Mexico and Canada.

SGH has also strengthened infection control measures and will only allow two visitors to accompany patients to the A&E department.

It is also providing visitor registration to facilitate contact tracing, should this be needed.

Sources said hospitals are also discussing contingency plans, such as cancelling non-emergency surgeries, if more safeguards become necessary.

Public clinics or polyclinics have also taken similar steps. Masks are on hand in the waiting area for patients who are coughing or sneezing.

Parkway Health, the largest private healthcare provider here, has upped the gears on infection control as well. Patients entering the A&E department have to be checked for their temperature and their travel history.

Tan Poh Lan, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital, Parkway Health, said: "There will be things implemented like controlling the number of visitors to the hospital... (and) monitoring our staff movements within the system itself. We will then make sure that staff stay within one facility."