Toys, books out of waiting rooms
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The potential spread of the H1N1 virus and other germs to staff, patients and visitors has prompted the Vancouver Island Health Authority to remove all toys and reading material from its waiting rooms.
The move was made based on recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada, a VIHA press release stated Tuesday.
“We recognize the toys in waiting areas are a great comfort and distraction for little ones, however, it is just not possible to clean them between every patient,” Bev Dobbyn, director of infection prevention and control for VIHA, said in the release.
Acknowledging that the risk of transmission of germs and bacteria on paper products such as books and magazines is very low, VIHA is removing them to allow cleaning staff to clean and disinfect all table surfaces on a regular basis.
People who may find themselves in health services waiting rooms, either in emergency departments or elsewhere, are asked to consider bringing their own reading material or toys with them.
editor@oakbaynews.com
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