By James Peters

UPDATE: Major stomach bug postpones surgeries at RIH

Jan 30, 2019 | 10:07 AM

KAMLOOPS — A pair of Interior Health facilities in Kamloops are dealing with significant outbreaks of a gastrointestinal illness.

IH says the bug has hit three units at Royal Inland Hospital, affecting 16 patients and 11 staffers as of Tuesday.

At the nearby Hillside Psychiatric Centre, the bug has hit seven patients and 13 staff members.

IH spokesperson Susan Duncan tells CFJC Today that 13 surgeries will not be going ahead tomorrow, and affected patients have been notified of the postponement.

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Interior Health says the hospital is no longer admitting patients to the three affected units: 4-North, 5-South and 7-North.

Hospital officials say the backlog in those units will likely mean more congestion in the emergency department, and the public should expect that.

IH advises the public that people who don’t have urgent illnesses should consider staying away from the hospital, or accessing other health services such as their family doctors, walk-in clinics or Healthlink BC.

“Anyone who feels they need emergency care should not hesitate to come to the hospital or call 911,” Duncan says. “It’s those people with non-emergent illnesses that we’re suggesting contact their family doctor or walk-in clinic or call HealthLink BC at 811, or maybe they just want to stay home and rest and get better.”

IH says enhanced housekeeping measures are being taken around both facilities, and it encourages staff and patients to practice thorough hand hygiene.