H1N1: PGI nurses flag exposure to infection

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 15

Nursing staff at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here is in the grip of swine flu scare.

As suspected patients continue to land at the Emergency, the office-bearers of nurses’ body have demanded that the nodal officers of the respective states should inform the PGI authorities before sending H1N1 suspects to the PGI.

Over five doctors and seven nursing staff were infected with H1N1 virus last year, said Satyaveer Dagur, general secretary, PGI Nurses Welfare Association.

He said, “Patients are rushed straight to the Emergency from where they are shifted to isolation ward. If timely information is shared with the PGI staff, the patient could be sent straight to the isolation ward.”

Nurses and doctors deployed in the Emergency remain at the risk of catching infection, he said.

“We have discussed the issue with senior doctors. We will also meet PGI Director Prof Jagat Ram and ask him to take up the matter with the states concerned,” said Dagur.

Five more suspects

Five more suspected H1N1 patients, including one from Hallo Majra, arrived at the PGI for treatment today.