Influenza Information and Updates
5/2/09
CT Department of Health has released a modification to the interem guidelines from the CDC regarding Droplet Precautions and N95 Respirators. Employes are directed to review this modification as posted below. /images/customer-files/DPH_HealthAdvisory_H1N1_050209.pdf
Questions should be directed to any Operations Coordinator or Fran Brunet at (203) 514-5133
4/30/09
Operations Coordinator Roxann Heath and Quality Assurance Coordinator Francis Brunet attended a meeting and teleconference at Mid State today with State Officials regarding the status of the Influenza Outbreak. Participants included local officials from around the State. The following is a summary of the conference outlining key points.
Governor Rell stated that currently, there are no confirmed cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus in the State. They are waiting for results on 3 “probable” cases from the Centers for Disease Control.
The Governor assured the attendees that the State is monitoring the outbreak closely along with Federal Officials and that the State is ready to assist local municipalities when the time comes. The Governor has released 9,100 courses of anti viral medications to the States acute care hospitals and has requested an additional 130,000 doses from the federal stockpile. These should be arriving in the State sometime next week.
Department of Health Commissioner Galvin restated that State and local leaders have been planning for such a pandemic since early 2005 and that this is the time for us to dust off those plans and review them for possible implementation. He also gave a historical overview of the virus’s current history.
Dr. Carter, State Chief Epidemiologist and the current Incident Commander for the State’s response, held a discussion on the uniqueness of the virus and the possible future of the outbreak. Current thinking is that no one is sure if it will in fact become a pandemic, not that we should treat it as if it could. By doing this, we would be in the best position to respond. Dr. Carter was asked what kind of numbers Connecticut would be looking at in fact a pandemic occurred. He related the numbers of possible patients to a very bad seasonal flu year. Connecticut historically sees a 15 – 20% per populous outbreak in a severe year with a ˝ - 1% fatality rate. He reminded us that those are just estimates for the purpose of discussion and comparison and not anything else.
So what does all of this mean?? Officials are constantly and diligently watching this outbreak evolve. More information and direction will be made available as this situation evolves.
Employees are reminded that they need to be diligent in their use of good, sound infection control procedures. Make sure you have the required amounts of gloves, surgical masks, respirators and alcohol gel in your vehicles and ready to use if needed. If you think your patient has signs of the flu, protect yourself by wearing a respirator, place a surgical mask (or oxygen) mask on the patient and notify the hospital.
Also, please review the CDC guideline previously posted on this page.
We are monitoring the situation and will provide update when they are available. Questions should be directed to any Operations Coordinator or Fran Brunet at (203) 514-5133
4/29/09
The CDC has released Interim Guidelines for the use of Masks and Respirators in Certain Community Settings where Influenza Virus Transmission has been Detected . While these guidelines do not change the way we will use masks and respirators, please review them.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm
Please review the following information from Health and Human Services /CDC regarding the Cleaning and Disinfecting of EMS Vehicles and Equipment
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/cleaning_ems.html
Employees are reminded to follow good infection control practices as outlined in the CDC update posted yesterday. Any questions should directed to an Operations Coordinator or to Fran Brunet, Infection Control Officer at (203) 514-5133
4/28/09
Connecticut Department of Health
Swine Flu Information Sheet
Current information (as of April 26, 2009):
Public health officials within the United States and throughout the world are investigating outbreaks of swine influenza (swine flu).
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause illness.
The outbreak is ongoing and additional cases are expected.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include:
- Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
- Chills
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue
What the Department of Public Health is doing:
- Closely monitoring the situation and receiving regular briefings from federal health officials
- Increased surveillance for influenza-like illness in the state
- Requested infectious disease physicians and emergency room directors to submit samples to the DPH Laboratory for testing from patients who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and have traveled to recently affected areas
How to protect yourself and others:
- Avoid contact with ill persons.
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue). Throw used tissues in a trash can.
- After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- If you think you are ill with flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible. Stay at home or in your hotel room. Seek medical care if you are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing). Do not go to work, school, or travel while ill.
Where to get more information:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
For specific information on travel precautions and an update on the affected areas, please visit: www.cdc.gov/travel
We are monitoring the development and progression of the situation and will provide information as it becomes available.
Please review the following guidelines published by the CDC.
- Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Suspected or Confirmed Patients
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidelines_infection_control.htm
- Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
The following measures to contain respiratory secretions are recommended for all individuals with signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection.
- Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing;
- Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use;
· Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic hand wash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
10/26/09
As cases of H1N1 increase in the country we need to be extra cautious when caring for our patients. Connecticut is one of only 4 states that have not yet seen large increases in patients. It is unknown if this trend will continue, or when we will start seeing more patients. In the mean time vigulance while we treat our patients will be the key in keeping the virus from infecting our employees. All employees should review the guidelines posted to this site and follow them on all suspected patients. When new or updated guidelines are issued they will be posted here.
Vaccinations
We are working with Mid State to set up vaccination clinics for our staff. Currently, only the nasal vaccines have arrived and they have been earmarked for the at risk pediatric population. The current date that the vaccines will be available is mid November. State officials are trying to get them here earlier, and if they do we will post the times employees are able to be vaccinated. This "shortage" is even affecting the seasonal flu vaccine availability. Our seasonal vaccine clinic was cancelled because there was no vaccine to go around.
11/4/09
Updated information on Flu Vaccines
We have been notified that 200 doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine have been allocated and are being shipped to Mid State Occupational Health for our employees. We will be notifying employees through When 2 Work when they can be vaccinated as soon as Mid State is ready to begin administering the vaccines. I will also post that information here.
Below is the fact sheet and the consent form required to be completed to get the vaccine. Please print the form out, complete it and bring it with you when you go to be vaccinated. This will speed up the proccess immensly. Protect yourself, protect your family, and protect the patients we serve. If every staff member would be vaccinated against influenza, we could really make a difference on the burden of this disease.
H1N1 Fact Sheet
H1N1 Vaccine Consent Form
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