November 9, 2014--16

JUAN LUIS HOSPITAL CONFIRMS RECENT

INCREASE IN ER VISITS ATTRIBUTED TO FLU
SEASON AND OVERALL RISE IN VIRAL ILLNESSES
IN THE TERRITORY
On Sunday, the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical
Center confirmed the recent increase in patient visits to its
Emergency Room is due to the onset of the flu season
and the recent rise in viral illnesses in the Territory.
JFL Hospital CEO Dr. Kendall Griffith explained that
approximately 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each
year because of flu complications. He said, "This flu
season, viral illnesses are much more prevalent in the
Territory. In addition to critical, emergent care cases, we
are seeing many additional patients in the ER due to the
flu, as well as higher than usual rates of individuals with
chikungunya, dengue fever and other viral illnesses."
Hospitals nationwide are experiencing increases in ER
patient visits due to the flu season.
Beyond the rush of flu symptoms exhibited, and
according to USA Today, the ER crunch being felt
throughout the country is "no surprise." The national
newspaper confirms that many patients seek out
Emergency Room care for non-emergency medical
conditions.

Describing the Hospital's ER as the "front line" for

addressing the community's critical healthcare needs,
Griffith stated, "While it is our pleasure to assist every
patient regardless of circumstance or economic
background, there can also be delays in our ER when
patients present with non-emergent symptoms. We
recognize that not everyone has a physician to go to
during times of medical concern, and a visit to the
Emergency Room is sometimes the only option. Given this
issue and the additional case load associated with this
year's flu season, some patients have recently
experienced longer than usual wait times, and we
apologize for that inconvenience."
In recent months, Griffith has been vocal about the
Hospital's ongoing efforts to develop innovative pathways
of delivery and best practices to facilitate consistent quality
patient care, especially given existing staffing shortages,
including in the ER. "We are working diligently to resolve
JFL's shortage of physicians and nurses and are pursuing
every avenue to ensure patient satisfaction. We are
actively recruiting and adopting new systems to fill in the
gaps wherever possible. It's a matter of working
collaboratively and creatively to resolve the issues. With
Hospitals nationwide reporting similar shortages, JFL is
embracing reform and pursuing innovative policies to find
solutions."
According to JFL's Director of Emergency Department
Jacintha Stephen, RN, MSN, "As a matter of due diligence
we are focused on providing quality care for each patient,

every day. While we will never turn anyone away from

seeking medical care, we encourage residents to sign up
with a primary care physician or to utilize on-island clinics
for preventative and non-emergency care. This will provide
a venue for non-emergent illnesses and will help to
eventually decrease the wait times for the more acutely ill
patients in the ER."
Director Stephen also underscored the importance of
getting the flu shot every year. "Individuals should ideally
get vaccinated annually to ensure that as many people as
possible are protected before flu season begins. It is never
too late to get the flu shot, and they are available at clinics
and via primary care physicians."
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated
that the flu and other viruses can cause complications for
populations at high risk, including young children,
pregnant women and the elderly. The nation's health
protection agency notes the importance of contacting a
healthcare provider if you are in a high risk group and
develop flu symptoms, or are very sick or worried about
your illness.
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