Press Release Issued 091509
Llano Memorial Healthcare System continues to be proactive in its approach to this coming flu season, especially in light of the potential for a significant impact if the area were to see an increased incidence of the Novel H1N1. According to Linda Meredith, Chief Operating Officer and Infection Control Officer, "we are taking every opportunity to review our flu emergency preparedness plan, and educate staff and the community."

Meredith was available to give a report to Llano County Commissioners Court supporting Texas Department of State Health Services and Region 7 Epidemiologist, Carol Davis, on Monday morning outlining H1N1flu preparedness and response plan for the health system. On Monday afternoon, key managers sat in on their second Health and Human Services conference call on the subject. "The HHS conference calls are informative; we hear first hand what is being done at the national level and we receive guidance for formulating our plan. We use all of this information to further evaluate our strategy for dealing with H1N1. The goal with our H1N1 flu preparedness/response plan is to reduce the burden on our emergency department, assure healthcare work force protection, establish early identification and intervention with high risk patients and have mechanisms in place to deal with an anticipated surge in patients presenting at the clinics with influenza like illness."

Administration of the seasonal flu vaccine started at LMHS clinics following the Labor Day Holiday. The Llano Clinic is offering extended hours (5 to 7PM) on Mondays for flu shots only. Both Franklin and Meredith encourage the public to take advantage of the seasonal flu vaccine currently available.

When released later this fall, administration of the H1N1 vaccine will be per the TDSHS guidelines with pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months, healthcare and emergency services personnel, children from 6 months thru 18 years, young adults 19 thru 24 years and persons aged 25 thru 64 who have health conditions associated with high risk of medical complications from influenza as the target populations.

In addition to vaccination, Meredith reminds the public of the three C’s to stop the spread of influenza: Clean, Cover and Contain - clean/wash hands often, cover your cough, contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. And, if you do get sick, stay home until you are well again, so you don’t spread more germs. For more information on influenza and novel H1N1, click on www.texasflu.org, www.flu.gov, or www.llanomemorial.org.

Press Release Issued 08-28-09
As we turn the page on the calendar to September, it is time to think about the best ways to prepare oneself for the upcoming flu season. According to Linda Meredith, Chief Operating Officer of Llano Memorial Healthcare System and its Infection Control Officer, “Seasonal flu is always an issue in the fall and winter months that healthcare providers prepare for. This year though, we a preparing to deal with the results of not only seasonal flu but also the possibility we will see cases of the novel H1N1 virus.” She added “one of the most important tasks in addition to offering vaccinations for seasonal flu is public education about the flu virus, its symptoms, and precautions to protect one’s health. And, as many of us have already heard a vaccine for the novel H1N1 virus is expected to be released but later in the fall. When that vaccine is released there will be very specific guidelines regarding who should be vaccinated.”

The respiratory virus that is currently circulating in the United States is passed from person to person without contact with pigs. The name now being used is novel H1N1 flu. Novel H1N1 flu is a respiratory illness thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu is spread, which is through people infected with the virus that are coughing or sneezing. It can be spread by touching something with flu viruses on it, such as a tissue or a door knob, and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.

There are everyday actions that can prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza that are effective both for seasonal flu and the novel H1N1. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
5. Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Meredith said, “Llano Memorial will continue to provide information to the community over the next several weeks as we move closer to flu season.” For more information on seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu, click on www.texasflu.org or www.flu.gov.