Suffolk County, NY - December 19, 2014 - Influenza was declared prevalent throughout New York State by Acting Health Commission Dr. Howard Zucker on December 11, 2014.  Eastern Long Island Hospital is taking additional steps to prevent the spread of flu, including enhanced efforts to vaccinate all employees and distribution of surgical facemasks.  Worn by employees, these offer a physical barrier to flu transmission.  This is a comprehensive endeavor to protect patients, visitors, and employees from exposure to the flu virus.

While an annual flu vaccine remains the single best method for preventing the flu, a surgical facemask, worn by employees, provides added protection to patients, employees, and visitors.  Eastern Long Island Hospital offers the flu vaccine to all employees and also provides employees with surgical facemasks, as required by the New York State Department of Health.   

As a matter of standard practice, Eastern Long Island Hospital enforces universally-recognized precautions to prevent the flu.  These include hand washing, the use of hand sanitizers, placed conveniently throughout the hospital, as well as goggles, and gowns.  In addition, Eastern Long Island Hospital adheres to rigorous infection control guidelines and policies every day to ensure a clean environment for patients, staff, and visitors.  These practices are especially important during flu season.  Antiseptic wipes are located in patient rooms, work stations, hallways, and other treatment areas and are easily accessible to hospital employees responsible for sanitizing medical equipment and surface areas.

“Flu prevention is a priority at our hospital and our employees work every day to lessen the spread of flu virus by adhering to strict infection control practices and prevention guidelines,” said Paul J. Connor, III, President and CEO.  “In addition, hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities must document the number and percentage of personnel vaccinated against the flu to state and federal authorities.”

Eastern Long Island Hospital encourages everyone 6 months of age and over to follow the CDC guidelines and get vaccinated. Influenza vaccines are readily available in local doctor’s offices and at several retail chain pharmacies including CVS in Mattituck, Rite Ad in Mattituck, CVS in Riverhead and Walgreens in Riverhead, For more information about the flu, please visit the website.