Official Therapist Blog

H1N1 Influenza or “Swine Flu” Update

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 05.04.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, diseases, infectious diseases, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

The outbreak of Swine Flu (A/H1N1) continues to evolve, and healthcare organizations continue to monitor the release of information, especially guidance that most pertains to healthcare professionals. Below are specific links and recommendations allied healthcare professionals will find helpful in ensuring that they, their families, their patients, and their communities are most ready to respond to this outbreak of flu.

Comprehensive site on Pandemic Flu: Below is a link to Pandemic flu.gov – the U.S. government’s site for all information on preparing for and responding to a pandemic, including preparedness plans, latest outbreak news, and lots of information on how the US will respond to a pandemic.

• Pandemic Flu
• Investigation of the outbreak: CDC Swine Flu Investigation. You can sign up for email alerts, RSS feeds, and follow the CDC on Twitter to get information as it is released.
• Symptoms of Swine Flu – the same as seasonal flu! CDC Swine Flu Information Fever and body aches are the most telling signs of flu. Other signs are cough and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms include lethargy and occasionally sore throat and nausea. A person is believed to be contagious one day before symptom onset, and up to seven days after becoming sick.
• What to do if you suspect a patient has Swine Flu : CDC Identifying and Caring for Patients with Swine Flu Obtain a nasal swab, refrigerate, and send via local or state health department to a state health department lab for testing.
• Use of masks and other PPE: CDC Interim Guidance for Use of Respirators and Facemasks in Settings Where H1N1 Virus Transmission Has Been Detected

AT THIS POINT, the CDC has recommended that only health care workers providing care to or collecting specimens from suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 flu wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, gowns, goggles, and a fit-tested N-95 mask. As with seasonal flu, nurses and other health care workers caring for persons with confirmed or suspected cases should use standard, droplet, and contact precautions. **Remember that staff must be fully tested for a proper fit per the OSHA guidelines linked below before using an N-95 mask in order for it to be effective.

OSHA Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employees

It goes without saying that health care professionals must follow the strictest hygiene practices while on duty. Just a reminder to also take personal responsibility for hygiene on your own time. Avoid unnecessary contact with obviously ill people, thoroughly covering your mouth and nose with disposable tissues or the inside of your elbow when sneezing or coughing and dispose of the tissue properly. Thorough and frequent hand washing is also key.

It is also imperative that allied professionals and nurses follow these guidelines to avoid infection:

• Therapists should monitor the constantly changing flu event by visiting the web sites listed above and/or watching the news
• Traveling therapists should carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer and use it frequently through out the day.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms, contact your personal physician as soon as possible.

TravelForce provides rehabilitation therapy and healthcare career news, information and resources to stay current and informed on health care issues and career development.

Swine Flu Video | Swine Flu Outbreak Map