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Seasonal Influenza

2009-2010

and

Hand Hygiene Modules

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Why should I be concerned about influenza?

I work with cancer patients. I care about people. My patients, my family, my co-workers can get the flu

from me if I am not vaccinated. Working with people with illness puts me at higher

risk for infection. Preventing influenza can save lives.

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What is Influenza?

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious viral illness that targets the respiratory tract (nose, throat, airways & lungs).

Influenza can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and death.

The flu is the most frequent cause of vaccine-preventable death in the US. Causes 36,000 deaths per year and 200,000

hospitalizations per year

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How do I know it is the Influenza?

Infection usually has a sudden onset, lasting about a week, and may cause some of the following symptoms: fever headache aching muscles & physical discomfort dry cough sore throat runny nose

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“I think I just have a cold”

Symptoms Common Cold Influenza

Fever Not typical Common; may be high

Body Aches Mild Common; may be severe

Headache Not typical Common

Fatigue/weakness Mild Common

Stuffy nose/ sneezing Common Sometimes

Sore Throat Common Sometimes

Cough Mild to moderate Common; may be severe

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How is influenza spread?

The virus is easily spread from one person to another through droplets formed when coughing or sneezing.

It can also be spread from hand to hand contact or by

touching a surface that might be contaminated with infected droplets.

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When is someone contagious?

Persons with the flu should be considered contagious for up to seven days after symptoms start.

In some cases, it may be possible for flu to be transmitted even the day before symptoms are noticed.

No Symptoms/

Contagious

Sick/

Contagious

Sick/

Contagious

Sick/

Contagious

Sick/

Contagious

Sick/

Contagious

Sick/

Contagious

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Flu Prevention at Work & Home

Get vaccinated (flu shot) Clean your hands frequently Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth Keep surfaces disinfected

Wipe down keyboards, telephones, doorknobs & other shared surfaces with antiseptic wipes

Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth & nose when you cough or sneeze Cough or sneeze into a tissue No tissue??? Cough or sneeze into your sleeve Now clean your hands

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What is the “Flu Shot” and “Who should get it?”

Inactivated (not live) virus is injected, usually in the upper arm.

ALL PERSONS WORKING IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS Children between 6 mos. and 19 yrs of age People over 50 yrs of age People with certain chronic health conditions Family members caring for someone at risk of complications from the flu Pregnant women

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Is the Flu Shot Effective?

Yes!! the effectiveness of the annual flu shot has been scientifically established.

Effectiveness depends on the match between the vaccine and which strain of virus circulates during the flu season.

Even when the match is not optimal, the flu shot is still effective in preventing illness.

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How does the influenza vaccine work?

Within 2 weeks, your body’s defenses produce antibodies against the influenza virus.

If you get the flu, you are far less likely to become infected, and if infected, would experience milder symptoms.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

FLU SHOT IMMUNITY DEVELOPING

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

IMMUNITY DEVELOPING

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When should I get vaccinated?

The best time to get vaccinated is October or November.

But even later in the season, the vaccine still provides protection.

October

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November

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Reminding our Visitors

Keeping our patients safe also means reminding our visitors about signs and symptoms of the flu.

There is signage posted at the entrance of all inpatient units and in Ambulatory waiting rooms.

The reminder tells visitors to postpone their visit if they have flu-like symptoms

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Hand Hygiene Stands…New At Karmanos

•Are located at main entrance, Ambulatory waiting rooms, Infusion Center and Farmington Hills location

•The new stands promote Flu Prevention

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Flu Myth #1

The flu is no worse than a bad cold

FALSE

Influenza is more severe and dangerous than the common cold. The flu can lead to pneumonia and death.

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Flu Myth #2

The flu shot can give you the fluFALSE The vaccine contains inactivated influenza, and cannot

cause the flu.

It is possible to experience certain uncomfortable side effects such as soreness at the site of injection, mild fever, body aches or headache.

If these side effects do occur, they are mild and short-lived in comparison with the actual flu, and are NOT contagious.

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Flu Myth #3

Only old people & those who are sick need a flu shot

FALSE Anyone who cannot afford to get sick from the flu, and

anyone who is in contact with people that might be harmed by the flu should get vaccinated.

This includes healthy adults, children and all persons working in health care.

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• It is a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal

• Staff compliance to hand hygiene is measured monthly and reported monthly to the units• Patients and families are encouraged to ask us to clean our hands

• Every Karmanos health care worker should remind each other to clean hands appropriately

HAND HYGIENEis so IMPORTANT that……

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In this study, each X shows where bacteriawere cultured in a room that had beenoccupied by a patient with an infection.

Healthcare workers’

hands can also

become contaminated

by contact with the

patient care

environment…

not just the patient!!!

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Every year 5 to 10 percent of inpatients develop infections resulting in 98,000 deaths nationally.

98,000 deaths equals:

• More deaths than those caused by breast cancer, colon cancer and stroke combined

• Equivalent to a 747 plane crash killing all passengers/crew every other day

• One death every 6 minutes

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Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene:Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene:

• before and after direct contact with patients

• before and after removing gloves

• before handling an invasive device for patient care

• after contact with blood, body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, or wound dressings

• after contact with contaminated items, such as medical equipment, medical waste, soiled linen

• after contact with objects in the immediate vicinity of the patient, such as bedside trays, bedrails, phone, etc.

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• after sneezing or coughing, or disposing of tissues

• before and after handling medication

• before and after preparing food

• before and after using the restroom

Health care workers should perform hand hygiene:Health care workers should perform hand hygiene:

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Alcohol Hand Rubs

Alcohol hand rubshave been shown to:

• Be more effective in reducing bacteria on hands than soap and

water

• Require less time to use

• Reduce hand irritation and dryness with repeated use

Rub a sufficient amount of alcoholfoam over entire surface of hands

until completely dry

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Soap and Water Wash

Handwashing with soap

and water is required

when hands are visibly dirty

or visibly soiled with

blood or other body fluids.

Wash with soap and warmwater for at least 15 seconds. Rinse with warmwater and turn off faucet with paper towel.

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How often do healthcare workers

REALLY clean their handsbetween patients?

Many observation studies show that HCW use

proper hand hygiene only

of the time!

Hand Hygiene Score Card

THIS ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! WE MUST BE 100%!!THIS ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! WE MUST BE 100%!!

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Use ONLY Karmanos-approved hand soaps, alcohol rubs, and lotions:

• Lotions from home are not approved for use in hospitals because:

1. They can damage the gloves you wear and cause leaks

2. They easily become contaminated and actually put more bacteria on your skin

3. They interfere with the antiseptic soaps

Karmanos-approved hand lotion

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Artificial nails hide dangerous germs and increase the risk of spreading bacteria between healthcare workers and patients!

Karmanos policy regarding fingernails:

• Artificial nails (including gels and wraps) are not allowed.

• All nails should be nicely trimmed and should not be more than ¼ inch long

• Nail polish should not be chipped

• Jewels or ornaments should not be attached to the nails

This fashion statement can harm patients!

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Summary

We hope this Computer Based Learning course has been both informative and helpful.

Feel free to review this course until you are confident about your knowledge of the material presented.

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