Area hospitals are ready in the event the human H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, makes significant inroads locally.

Three cases of swine flu were confirmed in New Hanover County as of June 1, along with one case in Brunswick County. There were 21 confirmed cases throughout North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center has “a comprehensive emergency management program and highly skilled infection control personnel to manage situations such as the H1N1 flu situation,” said registered nurse Martha Harlan, director of marketing and public relations at the hospital.

“There are many protocols in place, including ongoing staff training and communication (and) monitoring patients, staff and visitors for symptoms,” Harlan said. “We have a highly skilled, comprehensive team that oversees infectious diseases and emergency management response. We have a team that monitors supplies and pharmaceuticals and coordinates need and access with state and national personnel.”

New Hanover Regional Medical Center staff works closely with local, state and national healthcare officials from agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We work very closely with the CDC, and the state and local health departments. Meetings are held and communication is frequent and ongoing with all parties,” Harlan said.

Brunswick Community Hospital also has a plan in place to address the swine flu threat.

“As we learn of more H1N1 cases in North Carolina and here locally, we are encouraging our employees and our community to take heightened precautions but to also remain calm,” hospital spokeswoman Amy Myers said.

“Most of all, we are encouraging everyone to use proper hand washing techniques, cover their mouth when coughing, avoid close contact with those who are sick and to seek medical attention if symptoms arise,” she said.

Myers said Brunswick Community Hospital “is taking measures to ensure that all patients entering the facility are screened appropriately for flu symptoms and that employees who are experiencing illness are cared for appropriately and kept at home if necessary.”

“Remember, hospital employees are experienced at caring for patients with infectious diseases, so these measures are steps that employees are accustomed to using on a frequent basis,” Myers said.

Hospital administrators are in frequent communication with employees “to ensure they are kept abreast of the situation and have the tools and information they need to care for their patients and themselves appropriately,” she said.

Brunswick Community Hospital also posts frequent updates on www.NoFlu.org, a community resource Web site sponsored and built by Novant Health, the hospital’s parent company. The Web site includes information that includes tips on how to prevent the spread of infection, Myers said.

“If a larger outbreak were to occur, we have plans in place for an influx of patients,” she said.

Officials at New Hanover Regional continue to pay close attention to the local H1N1 threat, Harlan said.

“We continue to closely monitor our patients at all locations, we continue to work closely with the CDC, state and local health organizations and we are discouraging any visitors with flu-like symptoms from visiting patients,” she said.