As most of you are aware, at the end of April 2009, the world became aware of causes of illness caused by a Novel Influenza Virus, termed as swine influenza, A/H1N1.
World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the global pandemic alert level had increased from Phase 3 to Phase 6, meaning we are in the pandemic phase. The WHO’s decision to declare a pandemic is based on what is happening globally with the spread of the virus rather than it’s severity and does not suggest a sudden shift in the UK situation.
The virus / illness is currently not significantly different to seasonal flu. Every year seasonal flu leads to the death of a few otherwise healthy people, but this information does not usually appear in the news. The situation is currently being managed by treating cases and providing antiviral prophylaxis to their contacts. It is important to stress that the majority of cases in the UK so far have not been severe, with those catching the virus making full recovery- though a small minority of cases have been more serious.
Infection Control Guidance
In this period infection control measures are of paramount importance. General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene is essential to combat the spread of any virus;
• Coughing / Sneezing – Cover your nose and mouth when coughing / sneezing, using tissues and disposing appropriately and promptly.
• Hand Hygiene – maintaining good basic hand hygiene for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus.
• Cleaning of hard surfaces – eg. Door handles/ frequent cleaning using a normal cleaning product.
• Face mask - This should only be used by health care workers who have close contact with a symptomatic individual (within 1 metre). There is no benefit in staff that are not in this situation wearing a mask.
Coming to work
Unless you have flu like symptoms you should continue to come to work. The virus is now spread in the community so staying away from work will not ensure you do not catch the flu. If you have flu like symptoms please call your GP or NHS Direct (08454647), who would inform you of what to do. DO NOT GO TO YOUR GP SURGERY OR ANY OTHER HEALTH FACILITY.
All staff working on behalf of Montagu Nursing Agency need to adhere to the Trust Policy of placement.
If you do experience flu like symptoms whilst at work, please tell the person in charge of the ward that you are placed and contact Montagu Nursing Agency, if you were advice to go home straight away.
We are also requesting that you inform Montagu Nursing Agency if your GP confirms you have influenza A/H1N1, or if you have had direct contact with someone with the influenza / or if you have received the flu jab.
You can do this by calling the Montagu Team on 0845 241 6971 or emailing london@montagunurses.co.uk.
www.hpa.org.uk
www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
www.direct.go.uk/swineflu
www.nhs.uk/AlertsEmergencies/Pages/Pandemicflualert.aspx
|
