Get Ready for Flu Season 2014

The CDC has released its guidance for the 2014-’15 flu season, which could begin at any time and last until as late as May. The agency recommends that healthcare facilities implement five core infection prevention strategies to halt the spread of flu.

The flu vaccine

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months, including all healthcare workers and nursing home residents, receive a flu shot unless contraindicated. This year’s flu shot is designed to protect against the main flu viruses that research suggests will cause most of the season’s illnesses. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for flu antibodies to begin developing and providing protection, so the vaccine should be administered as soon as it is available.

Implement respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette 

Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette should be observed by all healthcare workers as well as all visitors, both at their arrival and throughout the duration of their visits. The CDC recommends posting visual alerts, such as signs and posters, at the entrance and throughout the facility containing information on how and when to perform these procedures. Supplies such as hand sanitizer, tissues and masks should also be readily available for staff, residents and visitors.

Monitor and manage ill healthcare workers 

Healthcare workers who develop a fever and respiratory symptoms should be instructed not to report to work. If they are already at work, they should stop all resident-care activities, don a facemask and notify their supervisor and infection control contact. The ill worker should not return to work until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicines).

Adhere to infection control precautions

When caring for a resident with the flu, all healthcare workers should observe standard precautions, droplet precautions and exercise caution when performing aerosol-generating procedures (such as bronchoscopy, sputum induction, elective intubation and extubation).

Implement environmental and engineering infection control measures

Standard cleaning and disinfection procedures should be performed in all settings within the facility, including resident-care areas in which aerosol-generating procedures are performed. When feasible, consider installing engineering controls that reduce or eliminate exposure, such as curtains that can be drawn between residents in shared areas.

For additional details on the CDC’s recommendations, click here.

ProMed stocks all of the products you need to fight the spread of flu and other infections in your facility, including:

• Hand hygiene products and dispensers
• Isolation products 
• Linen bags designed to handle infectious waste
• Surface disinfectants 

To learn more about any of these items, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.