Flu cases impacting Tulsa's health care system

While the supply of flu shots is running low. The number of cases at Tulsa hospitals is high. And it's starting to take its toll on doctorâ€™s offices around the city. <br><br>With doctorâ€™s offices

Sunday, December 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

While the supply of flu shots is running low. The number of cases at Tulsa hospitals is high. And it's starting to take its toll on doctorâ€™s offices around the city.

With doctorâ€™s offices filling up, flu cases are starting to spillover to area hospitals. Both Hillcrest and Tulsa Regional report patient volume is up about 40%.

And the flood of flu patients is starting to back-up the system. Aaron Howell, EMSA Operations Director: "We're checking with the hospitals three and four times a shift just in an effort to work with them and not overwhelm them beyond what they already are."

Hospitals will divert ambulances to other emergency rooms if they have more patients than they can handle at one time.