 Fact sheet on H1N1: care of patients, prevention methods, warning signs and vaccine information
Infection Control of Ill Persons in a Long-Term Care Setting
Residents with suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 flu should be placed in a single-resident room with the door kept closed.
The ill person should wear a surgical mask when outside of the resident room, and should be encouraged to wash hands frequently and follow respiratory hygiene practices. Cups and other utensils used by the ill person should be washed with soap and water before use by other persons. Routine cleaning and disinfection strategies used during flu seasons can be applied to swine flu. More information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_environinfection.html
Standard, Droplet and Contact precautions should be used for all resident care activities, and maintained for 7 days after illness onset or until symptoms have resolved. Maintain adherence to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer immediately after removing gloves and other equipment and after any contact with respiratory secretions.
Personnel providing care to or collecting clinical specimens from suspected or confirmed cases should wear disposable non-sterile gloves, gowns, and eye protection (e.g., goggles) to prevent exposing the eyes to potential viruses.
Masks and respirators
Until additional, specific information is available regarding the behavior of this swine influenza A (H1N1), long-term care facilities should use the guidance in the October 2006 “Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic." These interim recommendations will be updated as additional information becomes available.
To prevent the spread of swine flu:
- Avoid contact with ill persons.
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue). Throw used tissues in a trash can.
- After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
- If you think you are ill with the flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible.
Long-term care providers can call their local health department for the most up-to-date information or keep visiting www.dhss.mo.gov.
This  Planning Checklist for Pandemic Influenza will help long-term care and other residential care facilities be better prepared for the H1N1 flu. |
