Only about 1/3 of nurses are fit tested.
http://www.una.ab.ca/news/archive/Influenza A H1N1
Government and Health Care
Employers still in Denial
On July 6, 2009 Alberta Health announced that there are now 1,098 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza virus in Alberta. There were 27 new cases confirmed since July 3, 2009.
Some time ago Alberta Health issued guidance advising physician not to test for H1N1 unless the individual had a pre-existing medical condition that could put them at risk of complications or the patient had a severe symptoms. Therefore, these numbers do not provide an accurate picture of the number of cases nor the spread of the virus in Alberta.
Today the World Health Organization reported 94,512 cases with 47 deaths. In a July 3, 2007 update Public Health Agency of Canada announced that there were 8,883 confirmed cases in Canada including 663 hospitalizations and 29 deaths.
In an Edmonton Journal article Dr Mark Joffe, Infectious Disease Specialist, called the current outbreak “the most important” health care event in the last forty years. Dr. Joffe stated that H1N1 infections were starting to impact health services including hospitals and intensive care units. He confirmed that the number of infections and the number of people admitted to hospitals is increasing.
However, despite the increase in confirmed cases of the virus and hospitalization nurses continue to be told by their employers that surgical masks provide effective protection against infection with the H1N1 virus.
This is simply not true. This advise is based on an assumption that the virus is transmitted by droplet only. This same assumption was made during the SARS outbreak and directly lead to workplace related infections and in some instances the deaths of health care workers in Ontario.
Nurses need to be vigilant in protecting themselves and their family from infection. Insist on having the appropriate personal protective equipment (N95 respirator mask, gloves, gown & eye protection) available for use when providing care to patients, residents and clients with suspected or confirmed H1N1 virus infections.
http://www.una.ab.ca/news/archive/Influenza A H1N1
Government and Health Care
Employers still in Denial
On July 6, 2009 Alberta Health announced that there are now 1,098 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza virus in Alberta. There were 27 new cases confirmed since July 3, 2009.
Some time ago Alberta Health issued guidance advising physician not to test for H1N1 unless the individual had a pre-existing medical condition that could put them at risk of complications or the patient had a severe symptoms. Therefore, these numbers do not provide an accurate picture of the number of cases nor the spread of the virus in Alberta.
Today the World Health Organization reported 94,512 cases with 47 deaths. In a July 3, 2007 update Public Health Agency of Canada announced that there were 8,883 confirmed cases in Canada including 663 hospitalizations and 29 deaths.
In an Edmonton Journal article Dr Mark Joffe, Infectious Disease Specialist, called the current outbreak “the most important” health care event in the last forty years. Dr. Joffe stated that H1N1 infections were starting to impact health services including hospitals and intensive care units. He confirmed that the number of infections and the number of people admitted to hospitals is increasing.
However, despite the increase in confirmed cases of the virus and hospitalization nurses continue to be told by their employers that surgical masks provide effective protection against infection with the H1N1 virus.
This is simply not true. This advise is based on an assumption that the virus is transmitted by droplet only. This same assumption was made during the SARS outbreak and directly lead to workplace related infections and in some instances the deaths of health care workers in Ontario.
Nurses need to be vigilant in protecting themselves and their family from infection. Insist on having the appropriate personal protective equipment (N95 respirator mask, gloves, gown & eye protection) available for use when providing care to patients, residents and clients with suspected or confirmed H1N1 virus infections.