Precautions For H1N1
Issue 10 - 12/10/2009
Worker Guidance: Precautions For Healthcare Workers during the 2009-2010 Flu Season
If you work in settings such as inpatient and outpatient facilities, home healthcare, or clinical laboratories and have contact with patients who have or may have 2009 H1N1 flu, lab specimens from these patients, or contaminated materials, then you need to take additional precautions at work.
These precautions include using a combination of workplace controls, safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce your exposures. Workplace controls reduce exposure at the source. When workplace controls and work practices are not feasible or are not enough to protect workers, employers must provide appropriate personal protective equipment and ensure its proper use. HHS/CDC recommends the use of a fit-tested N95 disposable respirator or better for healthcare personnel whose job duties require them to be in close contact (within 6 feet) with confirmed or suspected 2009 H1N1 flu patients and for personnel performing high-risk aerosol-generating procedures on such patients. Employers who require workers to wear respiratory protection (N95 disposable respirators or better) must have a complete respiratory protection program in place.
Basic Reminders of Precautions For Healthcare Workers
Stay at home if you are sick. The HHS/CDC recommends that workers who have a fever or chills and a cough or sore throat stay at home until 24 hours after their fever ends (defined as 100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Celsius]), without the use of medication. Not everyone who has 2009 H1N1 flu will have a fever.
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after contact with patients, after using PPE, and after touching contaminated surfaces; use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
- Keep frequently touched common surfaces (for example, telephones, computer equipment, etc.) clean.
- Try not to use a coworker's phone, desk, office, computer, or other work tools and equipment. If you must use a coworker’s equipment, consider cleaning it first with a disinfectant.
Stay in shape. Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of rest, exercise and relaxation.
- If you are in a high risk category for 2009 H1N1 flu (e.g., pregnant women, persons with asthma, etc.) talk with your employer about alternative work assignments.
- Get vaccinated for both the seasonal and the 2009 H1N1 flu.
This e-mail was sent to you by:
FMES-Florida Medical Educational Services
PO BOX 700, BOSTWICK, FL. 32007-0700
386/325-5790
Visit Our Site
|