SYLACAUGA — In the midst of H1N1 influenza mania, Coosa Valley Medical Center is going the extra mile to protect employees, patients and the public from contracting the illness by using preventive methods.

Amy Price, vice president of patient care services, said the hospital administration has implemented comprehensive plans to keep anyone who enters CVMC safe.

“One of the highest risk points for us is the fact that in addition to the patients that are here every day, think about how many people come in our building to visit someone who is here.

“Whether it’s in the nursing home or the hospital or the emergency room, we have hundreds of people pouring in the building every day.”

Carla Taylor, quality director at CVMC, added that beginning Thursday hospital employees and volunteers will have the chance to get a flu vaccination. They will also get fit tested for a respiratory mask to wear when dealing with patients with flu symptoms, and will be educated about the best practices for hand hygiene and clean work areas.

“Every day we are reporting (to the Alabama Department of Public Health) the number of emergency room visits we’ve had in the previous 24 hours and the number of patients who present influenza-like illness. Probably 7 percent of ER visits are related to flu-like symptoms, and we are beginning to see that trend gradually increase,” Taylor said.

Price said 7 percent would equal about 240 people in the last month, though some of those did not have H1N1 influenza, just similar symptoms.

The Center for Disease Control predicted the number of new H1N1 cases should have peaked on Sept. 15, but Price said it has not peaked yet at CVMC.

“We’re growing here every day with the number of cases we’re seeing,” Price said. “I think it will eventually plateau, but it won’t be until after the vaccine is released. We know until at least mid October we’re going to see prominent cases.”

Taylor said the state should receive around 600,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccinations in mid October. Vaccinations for seasonal flu are available right now. To be protected from both strains of flu, a person must have both vaccinations.

The CDC has classified Alabama as one of 21 states with widespread influenza activity.

To protect visitors and patients, CVMC has set up hand sanitizer dispensers in conspicuous areas all over the hospital, of which they are encouraging everyone to take advantage. Additionally, patients in the hospital who exhibit flu-like symptoms are required to wear respiratory masks in public areas of the hospital.

People who are sick but want to visit someone in the hospital are being asked to not make a visit. The hospital has posted signs in several areas to keep people informed about how to prevent the spread of the illness.

CVMC is also trying to keep the public informed, so fewer people will have to actually be treated.

Vanessa Green, CVMC vice president of senior and support services, said, “We’ve met with several groups to make sure we’re making as many people aware of what they need to do as we can.”

The hospital is willing to go out and speak to any community groups or businesses about how to protect themselves from H1N1, Green said.

Tips for avoiding getting sick have not changed and include washing your hands with soap and water and using hand sanitizer often, eating healthy and exercising, and avoiding others who are already sick.

People who do catch the flu should wait 24 hours until after their fever has disappeared before returning to work or school and sick people should cough into the crook of their arm instead of covering their mouths with their hands or not covering their mouths at all.