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January 11, 2017

Influenza: How to protect patients, clients and colleagues

VCH is experiencing increased numbers of influenza-like (ILI) and influenza A in our facilities and communities.

Here’s how you can help protect yourself, your patients, clients and colleagues:

Don’t spread the bug:

  • Clean your hands regularly e.g. when entering/leaving facilities, units and patient/resident rooms. Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is the preferred product for hand hygiene unless your hands are badly soiled and/or you are working with known or suspect C difficile in which case soap & water should be used
  • If you have not received influenza immunization due to medical reasons or choice, you are expected to wear a mask anytime you are in a clinical area or when escorting patients/residents to and from clinical areas. Change your mask whenever it is moist. If you inadvertently touch the mask on your face, immediately do hand hygiene to prevent transmission of microorganisms
  • If you are not vaccinated for influenza, it is not too late. Visit your family doctor, a pharmacy or public health clinic for a free vaccine – Clinic Locator
  • Close patient/residential access to shared unit kitchens, if possible
  • Discard shared magazines

Identify cases:

  • Immediately isolate patients/residents with suspect infectious respiratory illness at admission or as soon as symptoms start.  Place Droplet & Contact isolation precaution signage outside the patient/resident door and notify Infection Prevention and Control
  • Please send specimen for influenza and RSV for patients/residents who are placed on isolation to allow de-escalation if testing is negative
  • Ensure you have 6 non-expired nasopharyngeal swabs on your unit for influenza testing

Notify:

  • An outbreak should be considered if two or more cases of ILI occur within a week and are shown to be due to in-house transmission. If you think this definition applies to your unit contact either your infection control practitioner (ICP) or medical microbiologist on call after hours, or the medical health officer (MHO) depending on your local protocol

Don’t bring bugs to work:

  • Do not come to work if you are experiencing influenza symptoms:
    • fever of about 104°F (40°C) or higher
    • body aches
    • headache
    • dry cough
    • sore or dry throat

    Not sure? Check out HealthLink BC’s interactive Sympton Checker.

  • If you are scheduled to work but are sick, report influenza-like illness (ILI) by:
    • calling the Absence Call Line at 1-866-924-4297
    • calling the Workplace Health Call Centre (WHCC) at 1-866-922-9464 (toll free)

More information:

For more information contact: Pat Bleackley