To protect our medically fragile children, ChildServe is restricting visitors and volunteer activities in our Continuing Care and Transitional Care Units. We are also asking all outpatient families and visitors to perform self-assessments and to return at another date if they are exhibiting symptoms of H1N1 flu. Please monitor this Web site for future updates.

As Fall arrives and the threat of H1N1 Flu increases, we are taking precautions to ensure that ChildServe is a healthy environment for children, staff, visitors and the community.

What ChildServe is doing

Staff from ChildServe have been in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Health to ensure that we have the most current information as well as guidelines for dealing with the situation as it evolves. We will continue to adhere to the guidelines and advice of the IDPH.

We have very strict policies regarding infection control, attendance, and emergency management, and we will continue to enforce those policies. We are taking this opportunity to reinforce these policies and Universal Precautions with our staff.

At this time, we are not limiting the activities of children in our care, and community and outpatient services are not significantly affected. In the last several months, we have installed additional hand washing stations and signage as well as hand sanitizer stations throughout our facilities. We are encouraging staff, children, and visitors to follow basic infection control procedures:

1. The number one emphasis is due diligence with hand washing.
   
2. Stay out of contact with others when showing symptoms of the flu.
   
3. Take good care of yourself to avoid vulnerability to illness.  

What you can do

This information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tells you more about what the swine flu is and how you can keep from getting it. The most important thing to remember is to stay home if you or your child are not feeling well, and call your doctor (do not go directly to the doctor’s office).

Additional information and resources

Phone

• Polk County Health Department at 286-3798 (Press 6) or 286-3890
• Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) hotline at 1-800-447-1985

Web

• Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Jack Clarke is a Des Moines 4th grader currently recovering from health issues, but on the road to recovery. Please save the date for a family day at the ball park benefiting the Clarke family and the ChildServe Transitional Care Unit on Sunday, August 30th at Principal Park.