Issued on June 24, 2009, this guidance provides recommendations
for employers and employees on protection during the H1N1
influenza outbreak. As more information emerges about the H1N1
virus, updated guidance documents will be issued and posted.
Little is currently known about how H1N1 may affect children.
However, we know from seasonal influenza and past pandemics that
young children, especially those younger than 5 years of age and
children who have high risk medical conditions, are at increased
risk of influenza-related complications.
10-24-209 -In an effort to
proactively address the ongoing pandemic, the President signed a
National Emergency Declaration on H1N1 that allows healthcare
systems to quickly implement disaster plans should they become
overwhelmed.
HHS’
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a
condensed planning resource with new information specific to
H1N1. The guide “Mass Medical Care With Scarce Resources: The
Essentials” is a tool for community planners to prepare for
public health emergencies, such as pandemic flu, when demand for
medical resources outweighs supply.
Tamiflu is one of two antiviral medications that are effective
against the H1N1 pandemic virus. Tamiflu is available in capsule
and liquid (oral suspension) formulations. There are millions of
treatment courses of Tamiflu in the U.S., and Roche continues to
make all formulations of Tamiflu. However, deliveries of the
liquid form to some locations are going to be sporadic this fall.
Illnesses caused by influenza virus infection are difficult to
distinguish from illnesses caused by other respiratory pathogens
based on symptoms alone. Young children are less likely to have
typical influenza symptoms (e.g., fever and cough) and infants
may present to medical care with fever and lethargy, and may not
have cough or other respiratory symptoms or signs.
Influenza-associated deaths among children, while uncommon, do
occur with seasonal influenza with an estimated average of
approximately 92 influenza-related pediatric deaths each year in
the United States. Some deaths in children have been associated
with co-infection with influenza and Staphylococcus aureus,
particularly methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
CDPHi-L&C has announced a pilot project to review current
infection-control policies and procedures relating to H1N1
influenza and hospital-acquired infections. The project will
consist of three hospital surveys per District Office, for a
total of 45 surveys beginning the week of December 7. The surveys
are unannounced. After the pilot project is concluded, L&C
will conduct reviews at additional hospitals when already on site
investigating complaints or adverse events. L&C is projecting
18 surveys a week.
Attached is the survey tool that L&C surveyors will use. It
is suggested that hospitals prepare a composite of all policies
referred to in Section A of the survey tool and have this readily
available for surveyors.
Policies change rapidly based on the availability of new
information. In Section B-16, L&C recognizes that the process
to revise existing policies takes time. Surveyors will look for a
process that ensures hospitals are reviewing new information and
are revising policies as necessary. Surveillance tips at the end
of the survey tool provide additional insight as to what
surveyors will look for when they visit your facility.
It is critical that hospitals adhere to their own policies and
procedures, as well as the new Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible
Disease Standard. For more information, contact me at (916)
552-7574 or dharms@calhospital.org.
The CHA Hospital Preparedness Program has developed this
checklist for hospital CEOs. It can serve as a reference to
ensure appropriate planning is occurring within your
organization. The expanded checklist below is for hospital
planners.
Note: This guidance supersedes
“GUIDANCE FOR INFECTION CONTROL FOR 2009 H1N1 INFLUENZA IN HEALTH
CARE” released on 2.4.10)
On November 5, the California Department of Public Health (CDPHi)
issued guidance on influenza prevention in health care settings,
and Cal/OSHA issued guidance on the application of the aerosol
transmissible diseases standards for the 2010-11 influenza
season.
Revision History: Supersedes “Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza
Infection Control Recommendations For Hospitalized Patients.
(8/20/09)”
Originating programs: Healthcare Associated Infections Program,
Center for Health Care Quality, and Division of Communicable
Disease Control, Center for Infectious Diseases.
CDPHi is revising the 2009 H1N1 influenza infection control
suspect case definition. This revision reflects the current
decreased prevalence of 2009 H1N1 influenza relative to other
respiratory pathogens that produce a clinical illness similar to
that of both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza
This “Respirator Safety” video shows how to correctly identify
and use surgical masks and respirators, such as N95s. The video
shows the differences between respirators and surgical masks and
explains the particular uses for each. The video also reviews
prevention for worker exposure to infectious diseases.
Recently, questions about reporting of seasonal influenza cases
have been raised and this document clarifies what is reportable.
This document provides guidance for the reporting of 2009 H1N1
and seasonal influenza cases, vaccine adverse events, and
outbreaks to CDPHi. Information from previous CDPH documents and
updates has been consolidated to provide one document that
contains the most recent reporting guidelines and links to the
necessary reporting forms.
The California Department of Public
Health (CDPHi) has reviewed and concurs with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Updated Interim
Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the
Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season
released on December 7, 2009. These recommendations focus on the
use of antiviral medications for the treatment and
chemoprophylaxis of influenza.
