Transcript Protect your Patients Protect yourself

HUMAN RESOURCES
During this Flu
Season…
Protect yourself and
Protect others!
This module has been designed to provide information to the Duke
Employees on seasonal and H1N1 Flu. After completing this module,
you will be able to:
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Identify important facts related to seasonal and H1N1 Flu
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Describe proper hygiene practices and control measures,
including vaccination to prevent
– Seasonal Flu and
– H1N1 Flu
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Describe the impact of the seasonal flu and H1N1Flu on
employees and on Duke as an organization
Why Should I Be Concerned?
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Typically, the” Flu” comes around yearly during the fall and
early winter. This is considered the “seasonal” Flu and a
vaccine is developed each year to provide protection against
the most common strains that are expected to cause the
most illness.
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Seasonal Flu is a serious disease. In fact, 25,000 to 35,000
die annually in the U.S. due to the seasonal Flu. Those at
the highest risk for developing complications are:
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The elderly
The very young
Those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung
disease, diabetes or conditions that effect the immune system
Why Is This Year’s Flu Season Different?
• This year, there is a new and very different Flu virus spreading
worldwide called the H1N1 Flu or formerly known as the “Swine
Flu”. Though this new type of Flu is turning out to be milder than
originally feared, it can lead to complications.
• At this time, many are susceptible to the H1N1 and those infected
experience symptoms similar to the seasonal Flu. Those at
highest risk for complications seem to be:
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Pregnant women
Children
Youth and young adults up to age 24
Those with chronic medical conditions between
ages 24 and 64
What Does This Mean For DU/DUHS?
Based on the government’s current estimate, 30-50% of our employees could
be infected with the Flu this season.
Since we work closely together in the Duke community, we have many
opportunities for contact.
Duke is taking steps to slow the spread of illness in the workforce.
Protecting yourself, your co-workers and your patients is the best way to
decrease the impact of either the seasonal Flu or the H1N1 Flu. You’ll find
out how in the next slides.
Remember that we all are susceptible to BOTH kinds of Flu.
To Protect Yourself & Prevent Spread . . .
It is important to know that the Flu is highly contagious,
and spreads when the virus is passed from one
individual to another individual. This can happen when
an infected individual:
 Coughs, sneezes, or has direct physical contact with
another individual
 Indirectly contaminates objects such as door knobs,
telephones or surfaces. This is not the most
common route of infection.
Remember that the virus can spread from the hands to
eyes, nose, and mouth; so good hand hygiene is critical.
Here’s What You Can Do To Prevent
Spreading The Virus . . .
 Wash your hands. Washing hands often with soap and
water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner will help protect
against germs.
 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you
cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash
immediately after use. Wash your hands immediately.
 If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your
elbow or sleeve.
 Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are
often spread when you touch something contaminated
with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
 Stay home and away from others when you’re sick.
You will help prevent others from getting sick.
And Take The Time To Get Vaccinated
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Too many employees unwisely continue to work while sick with the Flu.
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Unvaccinated workers who are not yet feeling sick can spread the virus.
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Infected individuals may be infectious the day before they become sick as
well as after their fever is gone.
YOU
maybe the source of
Flu transmission!
Get Vaccinated for Seasonal Flu
The Center for Disease Control recommends a seasonal flu vaccine as the first and foremost
important step in protecting against seasonal flu. Vaccination for seasonal Flu is vital for:
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Individuals at high-risk for serious Flu complications:
– The elderly
– The very young
– Those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or
conditions that effect the immune system
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Health care workers
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Individuals who live with or care for high-risk
individuals
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All persons wishing to prevent seasonal flu
For more information, go to www.cdc.gov
Remember That DU/DUHS Offers Free
Seasonal Flu Vaccination
• Duke offers free seasonal flu vaccination to all
employees.
• Times and locations of flu vaccination sites will be
posted online at www.duke.edu/flu.
• Bring your Duke ID to receive
the vaccination.
• If you have a fever, postpone your flu shot.
And Remember To Get Vaccinated
for H1N1
• The seasonal Flu vaccine will not protect you against
the H1N1 Flu.
• A separate vaccine is being developed for H1N1. It is
expected to be available in late fall.
• The H1N1 vaccine will be
distributed based on criteria as
defined by the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC).
How Do I Know If I Have The Flu?
Symptoms for both the Seasonal Flu
and H1N1 Flu are similar . . .
– Fever of 100 degrees or more and any
of these symptoms:
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Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose/sneezing
Body ache
Headache
Chills
Unusual fatigue
How Should I Care for Myself?
• Get Extra Rest
• Increase Fluid Intake
• Take Fever Lowering Medication (no
aspirin for children)
• If you have severe illness or you are at
high risk for flu complications, contact
your health care provider or seek medical
care.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention If
You Experience . . .
Any of these emergency warning signs . . .
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
What Do I do About Work?
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All staff who have flu-like symptoms must be free of fever for at least 24
hours before returning to work (updated Sept. 14, 2009).
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Staff must receive clearance from Employee Occupational Health and
Wellness (EOHW) prior to returning to work (updated: Sept. 14, 2009).
Non-patient care staff:
– Must submit a "Return to Work Assessment" form online or call EOHW at Main
campus & Duke Hospital: 684-3136 opt. 2; Durham Regional: 470-5350 Duke
Raleigh Hospital 954-3952; After hours: 684-8115, ask for EOHW Flu).
Patient care staff:
– Must contact EOHW by email ([email protected]) or by phone to receive
clearance to return to work (Main campus & Duke Hospital: 684-3136 opt. 2; Durham
Regional: 470-5350 Duke Raleigh Hospital 954-3952; After hours: 684-8115, ask for
EOHW Flu).
For more information, go to www.duke.edu/flu
Returning to Work…
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Consistent with current NC Department of Health Guidelines, clinical staff
members with patient contact that have flu-like symptoms must remain
home until they are afebrile for at least 24 hours without anti-pyretics.
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NEW!! Clinical Staff must receive clearance from Employee
Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) for return to work
determination.
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Contact EOHW by e-mail at [email protected] or call at 684 -3136
opt. 2. After hours, call 684-8115, ask for EOHW Flu; Duke Raleigh
Hospital staff should call 954-3952.
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Departments will receive confirmation when staff have been cleared to
return to work.
Where Can I Get More Information?
• Clinical Guidelines and Treatment:
– Access via http://staff.dukehealth.org
website (Intranet)
• DU/DUHS site: www.duke.edu/flu
• Flu vaccine clinics to be offered
through EOHW
• Your Manager
HUMAN RESOURCES
QUIZ
Where can I go to find
information on the flu?
HUMAN RESOURCES
www.duke.edu/flu
Congratulations!
You passed! Remember protect yourself and others!