DFCI-H1N1 influenza (swine flu) update for May 7, 2009

http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/h1n1-influenza-swine-flu.html 
From:   DFCI Broadcast Message  
Sent:   Thursday, May 07, 2009 8:29 AM 
To:     All User DFCI 
Subject:        H1N1 influenza (swine flu) update for May 7, 2009

TO: DFCI Community 

FROM: Deborah Yokoe, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist
Saul Weingart, MD, Vice President for Quality Improvement/Patient Safety

H1N1 influenza (swine flu) update for May 7, 2009 
NEWEST INFORMATION:
Although the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 (swine) influenza continues to grow (45 in Massachusetts, 643 in US), most infections have been mild. Nevertheless, some individuals with H1N1 influenza have required hospitalization and two deaths have been reported among U.S. cases.

Cancer patients are at increased risk for serious complications of influenza. Because there is ongoing risk, it is especially important to maintain our efforts to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu at Dana-Farber.

·       Continue to screen patients, visitors, and staff for fever and flu-like symptoms at building entrances and clinics.

1       Provide masks to those with symptoms, and ensure that patients and their companions are placed in private rooms with droplet and contact precautions. Negative pressure rooms are no longer necessary.

2       Staff with fever and flu-like symptoms should not come to work for 7 days, and should contact DFCI occupational health at 632-3016. Staff who are working while ill can inadvertently spread influenza to their patients or to other staff.

3       Clinicians should be fit-tested for N95 masks in the D1A Specialty Clinic Conference Room this week from 8-9 a.m., 12-1 p.m., and 3-4 p.m., or by appointment (call 632-3005).

4       Follow guidelines for triage, testing, and treatment listed on the Infection Control on DFCI Online. 
For additional information, call Infection Control at 632-2452 or 632-4807 
Emergency Preparedness:
DFCI staff continue to plan for a pandemic emergency, to prepare for the possibility of a more serious H1N1 flu outbreak in the fall.Every department should have an emergency call tree that lists every staff member's name and home or cell phone contact information. These trees should be updated regularly and given to managers and supervisors, who can then contact staff members in case of an emergency.

We will keep you up to date as the situation evolves. For additional information, including DFCI policies/procedures and links to theCenters for Disease Control and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, visit Infection Control on DFCI Online.

The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail.