News Release October 1, 2007

Regions Hospital launches annual flu prevention campaign
Patients will be assessed for influenza vaccines beginning Monday

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Regions Hospital today began assessing all admitted patients to determine if they should have the flu vaccine before they are discharged from the hospital.

"Many of the patients we treat have immune systems that are already weakened by another disease, a chronic illness or a traumatic injury, and they are more susceptible to coming down with a virus such as influenza," said Noe Mateo, M.D., infectious disease consultant for Regions Hospital and HealthPartners Medical Group. "For many people, getting influenza is a nuisance that takes them away from work and family. For our most vulnerable patients, however, it could mean a longer or additional stay in the hospital and even the risk of death. Flu vaccinations are the best way to protect our patients and prevent the spread of disease."

Each year, approximately 36,000 people die from influenza or influenza-related illness. According the to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those people who are most at risk for complications from influenza include anyone who is 50 years of age or older, residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, and those who have long-term health problems such as heart, lung, metabolic or kidney disease.

To further protect patients, Regions Hospital also provides influenza shots to employees, providers, residents and students.

Regions Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and teaching hospital serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a private, non-profit hospital providing outstanding care in womens health, heart, cancer, surgery, orthopaedics, neuroscience, burn, emergency care and more. Regions is part of the HealthPartners family of care. Additional information is available at regionshospital.com.

Contact: Kelli Trask
(651) 254-4725