tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
A NEW management plan to deal with patients admitted with flu-like symptoms has been developed by Joondalup Health Campus, in response to last year?s swine flu pandemic.
The strategy, titled Management Of Patients Requiring Admission With Influenza Like Illness, provides guidelines to define influenza and how to treat patients to reduce the spread of infection.
The Health Department confirmed there had been four deaths linked to the 2009 A/H1N1 strain in WA this year.
This follows the deaths of 27 West Australians in last year?s pandemic season.
Hospital Emergency Medicine director Dr Simon Wood said the planning for the 2010 influenza season had ensured patients with symptoms received a streamlined process upon presentation to the emergency department.
?Patients who present with influenza-like symptoms are recognised immediately and the recommended precautions are instituted to avoid contact with other patients,? he said.
?The influenza plan outlines clear pathways that need to be followed for patients such as what testing is required and the time frame for how long precautions must be adhered to.?
The number of attendances to JHC with influenza-like illness has dropped from 263 by August 2 2009 to 137 by August 1 this year.
A hospital spokeswoman said a patient information sheet on flu hygiene would be available for patients, which outlined how influenza could be spread.
http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/New-flu-strategy-/7566728/
The strategy, titled Management Of Patients Requiring Admission With Influenza Like Illness, provides guidelines to define influenza and how to treat patients to reduce the spread of infection.
The Health Department confirmed there had been four deaths linked to the 2009 A/H1N1 strain in WA this year.
This follows the deaths of 27 West Australians in last year?s pandemic season.
Hospital Emergency Medicine director Dr Simon Wood said the planning for the 2010 influenza season had ensured patients with symptoms received a streamlined process upon presentation to the emergency department.
?Patients who present with influenza-like symptoms are recognised immediately and the recommended precautions are instituted to avoid contact with other patients,? he said.
?The influenza plan outlines clear pathways that need to be followed for patients such as what testing is required and the time frame for how long precautions must be adhered to.?
The number of attendances to JHC with influenza-like illness has dropped from 263 by August 2 2009 to 137 by August 1 this year.
A hospital spokeswoman said a patient information sheet on flu hygiene would be available for patients, which outlined how influenza could be spread.
http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/New-flu-strategy-/7566728/