Grastroenteritis: Laval health and hospital centres taking all necessary precautions

Disease prevention measures were reinforced, with security guards and volunteers stationed at all entrances to ensure that all who entered the hospital washed their hands with disinfectant.

Signs reminding patients, visitors and employees to wash their hands are now more numerous throughout the hospital.

“The idea of a systematically disinfecting one’s hands at the entrance is a sure way of making people think of using any of the other numerous antiseptic dispensers available throughout the hospital,� says Mr. Vachon. Masks for those suffering from respiratory problems (flu, colds) are also available and recommended.

Preventive strategies also include restricting visiting hours to 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and to one person at a time. Hospital staff are strictly enforcing these restrictions.

Mr. Vachon also insists on the importance of frequently washing the hands at home, at work or at the gym. “It’s very important to wash one’s hands after going to the bathroom or changing diapers,� he emphasizes..

“Washing hands and using alcohol-based disinfectants are the two principal methods of prevention,� confirms Marc Leclerc, pharmacist at Pharmacie Bourget et Campanelli, an affiliate of the Jean Coutu Drugstore chain. Health professional Leclerc adds that although the preventive qualities of lactic cultures such as yogurt and kefir have yet to be conclusively demonstrated, their use can be valuable. “These products can help rebuild a healthy intestinal and digestive tract following diarrhea. Clinical studies in hospital settings show that probiotics such as Bio K+ are helpful in reducing diarrhea,� Mr. Leclerc points out.

(Photo: Martin Alarie)