Important Avian Flu Safety Guidelines for Healthcare Workers
It is very important that healthcare workers, who are treating individuals that may potentially have the avian flu, follow certain guidelines and take proper safety precautions. All patients who come to a health-care setting and have a fever and or respiratory symptoms should be handled according to the CDC' suggestions for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. These individuals should also be asked about their recent travel history It has not yet been determined that avian flu can be spread from one person to another. However, because of the possible risks of contamination from one person to another, isolation precautions matching those that are suggested for SARS should be put into practice for all hospitalized patients diagnosed with or under assessment for influenza A. There are standard precautions that should be met at all times. Very careful attention should be paid to hand hygiene. This should be implemented both before and after a healthcare worker comes into contact with the patient. Contact precautions need to be taken as well. Gloves should be worn always when touching a potentially infected individual. Eye protection is vital and should be worn whenever a healthcare worker is going to be within three feet of the patient. Because the avian flu can be transmitted through the air, airborne precautions need to be practiced. The patient should be placed in an airborne isolation room. For example, one where monitored negative air pressure in relation to the surrounding areas with 6 to 12 air changes per hour. The CDC has suggested that, the minimum necessity is a not reusable particulate respirator should be used in unity with 29 CFR 1910.134 for respiratory protection programs. It is necessary for workers to be fit tested for the model and size respirator that they wear. These workers must also be trained to fit-check for face piece to face seal, when entering the room of a patient. N-95 (or higher) respirators should be worn during any medical activities that pose a high risk of causing transferable respiratory aerosols, for which respirators (not surgical masks) provide the most suitable protection for health care personnel. Use of N-95 respirators is also practical for health care works when conducting activities with patients such as examinations, bathing, and feeding. Support staff should also follow these precautions even if they are not in direct contact with infected patients. If N-95 or other types of respirators are not accessible, surgical masks can be beneficial in protecting healthcare workers from large-droplet exposure. These masks should be worn for all health care activities concerning patients with established or suspected pandemic influenza. Even with all of these precautions, the dealing with patients who are thought to have, or known to have avian flu should be limited. As few healthcare workers as possible should come into contact with these patients to limit the number of people being potentially exposed. If the transport or movement of a patient becomes essential, it must be made certain that the patient wears a surgical mask. If a mask cannot be endured, the most sensible measures to contain respiratory secretions must be applied. Individuals wanting supplementary information about these and other health-care isolation precautions can see the CDC's Guidelines for Isolation Precautions available in Hospitals. These safety measures should be carried out for 14 days after the commencement of symptoms and go on until a different diagnosis is found or until a diagnostic test result specifies that the patient is not infected with influenza. Individuals treated as outpatients or hospitalized patients released before 14 days should be isolated in a home setting on the basis of guidelines outlined for the home isolation of SARS patients.
Latest News About Bird Flu:
Computer Model Maps Efficient Inoculation Of Hospital Staff In Pandemic Outbreak
Community preparedness for a bioterrorism attack or influenza outbreak has been the focus of much interest and effort in recent years. Now, public health experts at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have developed a strategy for how hospitals can most efficiently inoculate their own staff with minimal disruption to patient care. [click link for full article] Confirmation Of Avian Influenza H7N2 Infection, UK
The Health Protection Agency is providing expert support and advice to the National Public Health Service for Wales after an H7N2 avian influenza infection was found in birds on a small farm in north Wales. The Agency has carried out tests on specimens from nine people associated with the incident; seven are from Wales and two were from north west England. Four of the test results were positive - two of these were from Wales and two were from north... Pacific Health Summit Focuses On Pandemic Prevention And Preparedness
Everyone has heard the warnings and the facts are self-evident. Within the next decade, the world could face a deadly pandemic that could easily kill millions, disrupt the normal flow of life worldwide and create economic havoc. The question has shifted from "what if?" to "what can we do?" This year, the third annual meeting of the Pacific Health Summit, June 12-14 in Seattle, focuses on the threat of worldwide pandemics. [click link for full article] Soldier Dies Of Bird Flu In China
The Ministry of Health in China has informed WHO of the country's 16th death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 19-year-old male soldier serving in Fujian province died on 3 June. He developed fever and pneumonia-like symptoms on 9 May and was hospitalized on 14 May.There is no initial indication to suggest he had contact with sick birds prior to becoming unwell. Close contacts have been placed under medical observation and all remain well. [click link for full article] 99 Cases Of Bird Flu Human Infection So Far In Indonesia
The Ministry of Health of Indonesia has announced a new case of human infection of H5N1 avian influenza.A 5-year-old female from Wonogiri district, Central Java Province developed symptoms on 8 May, was hospitalized on 15 May and died in hospital on 17 May.Initial investigations into the source of her infection indicate exposure to dead poultry.Of the 97 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 77 have been fatal. [click link for full article]
BirdFluCrisis101.Com Home | Articles About Bird Flu
Contact Us |
Resources
Copyright © 2007 [BirdFluCrisis101.Com]
|
