Flu Surge Strains Hospitals as Precautionary Measures Intensify
With flu cases on the rise, hospitals are grappling with surges in patient admissions, prompting changes in hospital protocols to manage the influx. Medical experts are sounding the alarm as this season’s flu wave arrives with force, leading to increased hospitalizations and heightened precautionary measures.
Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, senior medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at Nebraska Medicine, highlighted the lag between case numbers and hospitalizations. “So I don’t think we’ve really seen the full impact of it,” Cawcutt emphasized on the growing trend of flu patient admissions.
At Nebraska Medicine, the influx has been significant. “We are seeing very high numbers of patients in the hospital with influenza at the moment,” Cawcutt noted. Similar scenarios are unfolding across hospitals in Nebraska and beyond. For instance, a hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, recently paused elective surgeries to allocate resources for respiratory illness patients.
While Nebraska hospitals have not yet had to resort to such measures, adaptations are underway. On January 2, Kearney Regional Medical Center implemented a mask requirement for many staff and visitors. Amber Lubben, director of quality and patient safety, stated, “I guess once we saw an increased incidence and positivity rates…we made the determination that we would have all of our frontline staff that had patient contact mask, and then we ask all of our patients and visitors entering the facility to mask as well.”
Despite a slight decrease in flu cases in Buffalo County, surrounding areas like Dawson and Phelps continue to see rising numbers. Lubben anticipates maintaining the mask mandate until there is a consistent decline in flu-like symptoms, hospital admissions, and absenteeism among staff.
Cawcutt warned against expecting a quick resolution, attributing a recent dip in cases to fewer people seeking medical attention during the holidays. She expressed concern over the rapid rise in cases early in the season, which may indicate a more severe flu season ahead than in recent years.
To curb the spread of the virus, Cawcutt stressed the importance of preventive measures such as flu vaccinations, proper hand hygiene, and avoiding public spaces when sick, or wearing a mask if going out is necessary.
