Hospital credits technology for enterovirus decrease
The Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has treated more than 20 children with symptoms consistent with enterovirus, stating Thursday that there are no longer any children with the virus at the facility.
Clinical Microbiology Supervisor Nicola Selfa said although testing is limited, the hospital’s ability to test for enterovirus D68 specifically, advanced technology allowed clinicians to test for the virus in general.
“These are tests that when I first started eight years ago, we wouldn’t have been able to do in a hospital,” said Selfa. “We can tell if people are either negative (for a virus) and it’s just allergies from harvest dust, or if we’re seeing the rhinovirus or enterovirus.”
Clinicians used polymerase chain reaction testing, in which physicians swab the patients nasal cavity and throat, where viruses like to settle. It only takes an hour to test the swab for major viruses.
EIRMC said increased precautionary methods and awareness throughout the community also helped slow down virus contraction. However, doctors advise continued caution as flu season approaches. The number one defense is washing your hands and staying home, if you are ill.
EIRMC is the only hospital in the region with technology capable of testing for enterovirus. Many surrounding medical agencies rely on the hospital to test at-risk patients.
