Additional Swine Flu Updates

This letter is an official statement from South Davis Community Hospital regarding our current prevention measures for Swine Flu:

April 30, 2009

Dear Friends and Family Members,

As you are likely aware, cases of a novel strain of Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus, or S-OIV, have been reported in adults and children within the United States.
South Davis Community Hospital, in collaboration with State and Federal agencies, is closely monitoring the current situation and will provide you with updates as new information emerges.

It is important to follow recommendations that have been provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and to avoid unnecessary panic or worry. The WHO has currently advised focusing on increased surveillance, early detection, and early treatment.

While not everyone who presents with a respiratory illness will have swine influenza, it is important to note that current cases of swine influenza have an acute fever associated with at least two of the following symptoms:

Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough
Nasal congestion

If a resident presents with an acute fever and at least two respiratory symptoms, a surgical mask will be placed on the resident, if possible. The resident may be moved to a private room or cohorted with another resident who has influenza type illness. A viral culture should will also be ordered from the lab.

You can help mitigate the risk of spreading S-OIV and other infections by:

Frequently wash your hands (either with soap and water or an alcohol hand rub).
Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette:
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing – sneeze into your sleeve
Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use
Perform hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol hand rub after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects or materials
Avoiding social contact, especially with those who may have been exposed to influenza or are symptomatic.

In order to promote the health of our residents and employees, SDCH has asked that family members, friends, and other visitors refrain from entering the building if they exhibit symptoms associated with influenza, including sudden onset of fever, sore throat and cough, nasal congestion, and runny nose, or have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of S-OIV.

Please be advised that this information may change as we continue to learn more about this strain of influenza. SDCH has pandemic influenza plan and a functioning committee that meets regularly to discuss and implement the plan as circumstances require. In addition, many of our nursing managers have received training regarding pandemic influenza from FEMA. We will provide you with additional information as it becomes available. You can also visit these websites to learn more about influenza:

www.pandemicflu.gov
www.cdc.gov/swineflu
http://www.who.int/en/

Thank you for your understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

South Davis Community Hospital Administration
Scott Anderson, RN, Director of Nursing
Laura Toney, RN, Infection Control
Lisa Pearson, RN, Disaster Committee Chairperson