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Staying up to date on the H1N1
Virus
This month, Bob Howard, former
media/press officer for the National Center for
Infectious Diseases and now President and CEO of
Robert J. Howard & Associates, specialists in health education, crisis
communication, and health and security
issues, brings us up to
date on the H1N1 virus and provides us with
sources to keep abreast of the
most current and accurate information about the
virus. With vaccine development still in the
early stages, and knowing this disease
remains a genuine threat, we need to ensure
we are communicating the right
information in a timely manner to our
patients, employees and community.
We also congratulate the winners of
our ChannelCare Digital Photo Frame
Giveaway. We discovered that among those
who entered the contest, email was the most preferred method of
communication followed closely by
the phone. Thanks to everyone
who entered.
Regards,
Robert
 Robert J. Loeb
President and
CEO
Vericom
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 Staying
Informed: The most current and accurate
information on
Type A, H1N1
Swine Flu
By: Robert
Howard, PhD, E.MBS,
MPH
 Hospital administrators, infection control professionals and health care providers have been presented with a unique and challenging situation with what is now classified as a full blown, Level-6, Type A, H1N1 Swine Influenza Pandemic. The first cases appeared in the United States and Mexico in early April 2009. Level-6 designation followed on April 22 with the declaration of a public health emergency meaning the virus was in multiple parts of the world and not isolated to a single continent or specific area. There are now cases in all states and worldwide deaths appear to be around 600-700 hundred.
Leading global health care experts are on alert for any changes in the virus and possible further genetic shifts or drifts which could make it more deadly or increasingly difficult to manage. This influenza appears to be spreading like others where the primary mode of transmission is through coughing or sneezing of an infected and contagious person. It also spreads by touching infected surfaces with hands, which then come into contact with the nose, mouth, or eyes, spreading the virus systemically. Appropriate hand hygiene standards are strongly suggested for all clinicians and health care providers to aid in the disruption of the spread of this virus. Since H1N1 is a new virus, there is virtually no natural immunity within humans. To date, most persons in the U.S. who have been diagnosed and lab-confirmed with this new strain, recover on their own and do not require intervention by health care providers. However, there is genuine concern at the CDC and with state health experts that the virus could spread over the summer months, gaining a foothold in high-risk communities and claiming many more deaths.
Symptoms and risk factors
It is vital that hospitals and health care facilities know the symptoms of this disease, are aware of appropriate actions to take, and know the status of a vaccine, which will specifically target this threat. H1N1 infected persons are reported to have the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, malaise, and fatigue. Some persons have also reported nausea and/or diarrhea. Some anti-viral agents have been used on hospitalized patients and those at increased risk, including: pregnant women, young children, persons with chronic underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes or other metabolic diseases, heart and lung disease, kidney disease, weakened immune systems and those with neurological or neuromuscular illness. These prescription drugs include oseltamivir and zanamivir. H1N1 appears to be resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.
Communication and shared responsibility
Public and in-house education is critical in helping communities understand
what will be available in their areas and when they will have access to a vaccine. In the interim, vital specific outreach to high risk populations is strongly urged and includes the following persons:
Children less than 5 years of age; persons aged 65 or older
Children and adolescents less than 18 years of age who are receiving long term aspirin therapy and who may be at risk for developing Reyes Syndrome after influenza virus infection
Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
Adults and children who have immune suppression, including suppression caused by chemotherapeutic treatment such as with HIV
Nursing home residents and those in other chronic care facilities
We all have a very real shared responsibility in helping to confine or eliminate the risk of H1N1 Swine Flu. Employees, at any job location, and students, who are ill and display the effects and symptoms of this illness, should be encouraged to stay home for at least one-week (seven days) until they are no longer be infectious. Together, we
can overcome this new threat which must be taken seriously at all levels of care and responsibility. H1N1 Swine Flu can and will kill and requires our most serious attention.
Vaccine development
The CDC has isolated the new, Type A, H1N1 virus to provide to companies to begin the manufacturing of a vaccine. It is important to note that vaccine development is a long, complicated process with multiple safety steps and it normally takes months to create a new vaccine. This vaccine will be different than the one which will be available in early fall for the regular emerging flu strains. Health care professionals should carefully monitor the CDC website: www.cdc.gov. for updates on this process so they may advise their staff and patients.
Accurate and current sources of information
Normal influenza presents in the U.S. and Mexico in early fall and winter. However, the nature and animal origin of this particular virus (being solely of a swine nature) may make it worthy of close monitoring and mandatory reporting through the CDC’s MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report). These facts and case numbers are updated and available every Friday at www.cdc.gov. This website is a good source of data for clinicians, the public, those at high risk, and also addresses the threats to health care workers. Health care professionals and patients are strongly urged to follow the advice (updated daily) on this website. This site also keeps clinicians informed of internet discussions and press conferences, and provides materials which can be used for educational purposes for both staff and patients in virtually any health-care setting. (Visit www.cdc.gov and look for H1NI on the home page.) |
Most Hospitals Working Toward
Creating Strong Cultures of
Safety
Building and
maintaining a culture of safety has become a key
part of a patient safety program. Since the
Institute of Medicine's To Err is Human was
published 10 years ago, the healthcare industry
has made a concerted effort to focus more energy
on creating systems by which patients are kept
more safe, and staff members are set up to
succeed. Powered by
Healthleaders. Read
More
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Case Study: SoundCare
Communicates Strategic Initiatives for Catholic
HealthCare West Hospitals
As part of CHW,
Chandler and Mercy Gilbert provide complimentary
services and work cooperatively. Both use
Vericom's SoundCare on hold/in queue
communications solution as an integral part of
their marketing strategies to get important
health messages to consumers, employees, and
physicians. Read
More
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Keeping Track
of Your Health Information
Say you're out
of town, and you become ill. You go to the local
hospital emergency room, where you are quizzed
about your medications and allergies.
Unfortunately-in the confusion and stress of the
moment-you forget to mention that you're
allergic to penicillin. Read
More
Click here for more advice
on Navigating the Healthcare System from AHRQ
Director Carolyn Clancy, MD. AHRQ is part
of the US Department of Health and Human
Services.
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ChannelCare: Digital Photo Frame Contest
Winners
Vericom would like
to congratulate the winners!
Julie Rajotte, Conway Medical
Center
Jennele Stefaniak, Froedtert and
Community Health, Inc
Carole Anne Cole, Logan
Regional Medical Center
Lisa Patterson, Baycare
Health System
Jessie Wright, Presbyterian
Healthcare Services
Brendan Hooley, Facey
Medical Foundation
Eden Davis, Feather River
Hospital
Annette Grunseth, St. Mary's Hospital
Medical Center
Susan Rachles, Englewood
Community Hospital
Leah Omilion, St. Joseph's
Mercy Oakland
Thanks to all who
participated!
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Vericom Corporation
1000 Holcomb Woods Parkway,
Suite 408
Roswell, Georgia 30076
800-800-1090
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