Hospital opens ER for flu-like symptoms

OLEAN, N.Y. (WIVB) - A hospital in the southern tier is taking the fight against the swine flu to the next level.

Olean General is opening a separate emergency room for patients with flu-like symptoms.

Hospital emergency rooms across the country are seeing a surge of patients with flu-like symptoms, as everyone is concerned about the H1N1 virus.

Olean General Hospital CEO Ron Mornelli said, "Even though our emergency department is always busy, we've seen 30-40% increase in volume."

That's why they're doing something about it at Olean General Hospital.

It might look like a regular trailer from the outside, but on the inside, it's a medical exam room.

"This was a way of taking those patients out of the emergency room and treating them in a very prompt fashion," said Dr. Henry Lamothe.

Those patients with flu-like symptoms.

The hospital started using the trailer last week to separate patients and already, administrators say patients like the fact that they're not waiting as long in the ER.

"When we have gone in to see the patients that are there, we are getting them through swiftly, they are comfortable with the way they are being treated and they are discharged very efficiently," said Cathleen Wright, Vice President of Patient Care.

When a flu patient comes to the ER, they're given a mask to wear, then sent to this satellite trailer for treatment.

Hospital officials say they'll be using the trailer as long as the H1N1 virus is here and more patients walk into the doors of the ER.