Heathcare Worker Poll: What is your institution doing to prepare for H1N1 Pandemic?

[Flufreak]

Re: Heathcare Worker Poll: What is your institution doing to prepare for H1N1 Pandemic?

In my community we have essentially ZERO flu right now.
We have a real chance to stop or slow things way down as we should have vaccine before the wave arrives. Our school kids have already had paperwork signed by parents and we will be doing FluMist vaccination clinics at the local schools starting THE VERY DAY it arrives (current ETA by Oct. 5, we will know more on Sept.29). The kids come first because they are the breeding ground. Health care workers last (among first group) because we will be exposed last. The pattern seems to be that flu has to establish itself in the community before more severe cases that need hospitalization /ICU/ etc. will appear (whether this is statistical or severity escalation pattern of disease really does not matter , but that IS a worthy discussion for another thread).

Other preparations continue, it continues to be assumed spread will be airborne (whether or not it mutates).

 

[RNboston]

Re: Heathcare Worker Poll: What is your institution doing to prepare for H1N1 Pandemic?

HCW's,

Is your institution following CDC guidence? N95's for all suspected, prob, or confirmed H1N1, neg are flow for aresol generating procedures, gloves, gown, eye protection? Have you been given H1N1 vaccine?

 

[Flufreak]

Re: Heathcare Worker Poll: What is your institution doing to prepare for H1N1 Pandemic?

We are now seeing, and hospitalizing, severe cases. No deaths yet.
We are lucky enough to have PAPR units, and are utilizing those for the best protection of our staff and patients, as well as to significantly stretch out our supply of N95's.

Patient care staff are now top priority to be vaxed and are getting vaxed at a high rate. Everyone is taking this very seriously. Triage areas are being set up to separate flu patients from others as they arrive at the facility. This is our first wave in this community and the rate of spread is amazing. Mask wearing in public is common.:applause:

 

[silvergirl]

Re: Heathcare Worker Poll: What is your institution doing to prepare for H1N1 Pandemic?

Has there been any communication with staff about pandemic underway in world? we had a mtg today...

Have any new policies been released related to infection control?
this week no kids under 18 allowed unless they are parents of the child etc. However we are being asked to wash with soap and water since all of our hand sanitizer is out. You know I would think Purell would have heard about the pandemic when it started and prepared, but now they can't keep up.

Is there a screening tool being used to identify possible H1N1 patients?
no but we now have one to take home to go over and answer for ourselves so that we can get back to work. "If you are fever free for 24 hrs without etc etc" YOU can return to work-and if your cough is relatively under control.

Has anyone had management go over pandemic preparedness, response with units? no but we will now have to float throughout the hospital to cover units. Which angers me. I got my seasonal (mandated) and my H1N1 mist (voluntary) today at work. It is available now to those who can take it. I don't want to have to float to the ER to cover people who won't get vaccinated for uninformed reasons ("it will give me flu/GB etc"). Why should we have to pay for their misinformation (of course there are those who cannot be vaxd etc I know that but those that won't because of myths bugs me).

Has any healthcare profession been exposed to H1N1?
I am sure we have. Coworkers have it in their families and they are working! So much for isolation - won't work anyway. I see lots of people in masks, and even around town.

Did institution alert anyone of past exposure of patient with H1N1?
no.

Has any helathcare professional been treated with prophylactic tamiflu?
no.

Is your institution treating any severe pneumonia as possible H1N1?
unknown but Pulmonary is full up.

Is there any information that healthcare workers are coming across in careers related to H1N1 that they would like to share?

we are now told that : (be ready for this in your neck of the woods)...
Since this is a pandemic/natural disaster you will be required to fill in vacancies throughout the hospital. I.E. national emegency. (Hasn't it been a nat'l emergency for a while now?).