Caring for Patients with an Influenza-like Illness
1. All patients entering the health system who are
experiencing an influenza–like illness should adhere to
respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
- Cover your nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Wear a surgical mask.
- Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and
dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use.
- Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with soap and
water, alcohol-based hand sanitizer) after having contact
with respiratory secretions and contaminated
objects/materials.
Outpatient services at the Uconn Health Center should ensure
the availability of materials for adhering to respiratory
hygiene/cough etiquette in waiting areas for patients and
visitors.
2. Patients with flu-like symptoms should be treated with the
current precautions according to the Health Center’s infection
control policy:
Airborne precautions require the use of a Fit tested N95 mask or a PAPR.
If a procedure is being conducted that generates aerosols, PAPR’s are required.
A "fit test" is required in the case that an N95 is to be used. **
During these procedures, if available, negative
pressure HEPA filtration should be used.
NOTE: These recommendations may change as the flu season
evolves.
3. If the patient is required to occupy a “shared space”
i.e., leaving their room for a diagnostic test or procedure, a
surgical mask must be placed on the patient.
4. The duration of isolation for patients with an
influenza–like illness: Isolation precautions for patients who
have influenza symptoms should be continued for seven days after
illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of fever
and respiratory symptoms, whichever is longer.
5. If an employee has a close, unprotected exposure to a
patient with an influenza-like illness, they should contact
Infection Prevention at ext. 4376 or Employee Health Services at
ext. 8005.
* Per CDC Recommendations
Close contact, for the purposes of this document, is
defined as having cared for or lived with a person who is a
confirmed, probable, or suspected case of influenza, or having
been in a setting where there was a high likelihood of contact
with respiratory droplets and/or body fluids of such a person.
Examples of close contact include sharing eating or drinking
utensils, physical examination, or any other contact between
persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory droplets.
Close contact is defined as working within 6 feet of the
patient or entering into a small enclosed airspace shared with
the patient (e.g., average patient room).
Examples of close contact include physical examination, or
any other contact between persons likely to result in exposure
to respiratory droplets. Close contact typically does not
include activities such as walking by an infected person or
sitting across from a symptomatic patient in a waiting room or
office.
** Fit testing is required for N95 masks in the absence of an
emergency i.e. Code Blue. Medical Clearance through Employee
health Service is required before fit testing can be scheduled.
Fit test can be scheduled with Research Safety extension 2723.
Employee supervisor must be aware.
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