LA CROSSE, Wis. — (NEWS RELEASE) - As with all healthcare providers across the nation, Mayo Clinic Health System Franciscan Healthcare is experiencing significant patient activity regarding influenza.
At this time our role in the community is threefold:
- Care for those who have positively contracted influenza
- Minimize and mitigate the risk of contracting the flu
- Advise the public as to steps they can take to keep themselves healthy and what to do if they suspect they have contracted the flu
With regard to minimizing risk of exposure,
- We advise anyone who displays flu-like symptoms not to come into our facilities.
- All entrances to La Crosse Campus patient care buildings will have supplies of masks and sanitizing liquids available. We ask that patients and visitors take advantage of these supplies to protect themselves.
If you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms or think you have the flu,
- Call your regular Franciscan Healthcare provider. Your provider or nurse can discuss you situation and advise you on appropriate steps to take. These steps may include home remedy actions or they may advise you to come in and be seen.
- If you do not have a regular provider, call into our nurse advisor resources. Trained nurses will assess your situation and advise you on next steps.
- During business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am to 5pm) please call 608-392-9868
- During evenings and weekends please call 608-392-9755.
- Calling first is your quickest route to learning what to do to take appropriate action regarding your symptoms – which may or may not be the flu.
With the current status of influenza across the nation, we anticipate that this will be a major health concern for several weeks. A person who has the flu can easily spread the virus without exhibiting symptoms or even knowing they are contagious. Minimizing your exposure to infection is your best defense.
In addition to the La Crosse Campus Emergency and Urgent Care Center, urgent care services are available at the Onalaska Clinic (Sat & Sun, 9am to 5pm) and The Clinic at Wal-Mart (South La Crosse) on weekends from 10am to 6pm.
