Seasonal Influenza 2009-2010 and Hand Hygiene Modules

1. Seasonal Influenza 2009-2010 and Hand Hygiene Modules

2. Why should I be concerned about influenza? • I work with cancer patients. • I care about people. • My patients, my family, my co-workers can get the flu from me if I am not vaccinated. • Working with people with illness puts me at higher risk for infection. • Preventing influenza can save lives.

3. What is Influenza? • Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious viral illness that targets the respiratory tract (nose, throat, airways & lungs). • Influenza can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and death. • The flu is the most frequent cause of vaccine-preventable death in the US. Causes 36,000 deaths per year and 200,000 hospitalizations per year

4. How do I know it is the Influenza? • Infection usually has a sudden onset, lasting about a week, and may cause some of the following symptoms: • fever • headache • aching muscles & physical discomfort • dry cough • sore throat • runny nose

5. “I think I just have a cold”

6. How is influenza spread? • The virus is easily spread from one person to another through droplets formed when coughing or sneezing. • It can also be spread from hand to hand contact or by touching a surface that might be contaminated with infected droplets.

7. When is someone contagious? • Persons with the flu should be considered contagious for up to seven days after symptoms start. • In some cases, it may be possible for flu to be transmitted even the day before symptoms are noticed.

8. Flu Prevention at Work & Home • Get vaccinated (flu shot) • Clean your hands frequently • Avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth • Keep surfaces disinfected • Wipe down keyboards, telephones, doorknobs & other shared surfaces with antiseptic wipes • Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth & nose when you cough or sneeze • Cough or sneeze into a tissue • No tissue??? Cough or sneeze into your sleeve • Now clean your hands

9. What is the “Flu Shot” and “Who should get it?” • Inactivated (not live) virus is injected, usually in the upper arm. • ALL PERSONS WORKING IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS • Children between 6 mos. and 19 yrs of age • People over 50 yrs of age • People with certain chronic health conditions • Family members caring for someone at risk of complications from the flu • Pregnant women

10. Is the Flu Shot Effective? • Yes!! the effectiveness of the annual flu shot has been scientifically established. • Effectiveness depends on the match between the vaccine and which strain of virus circulates during the flu season. • Even when the match is not optimal, the flu shot is still effective in preventing illness.

11. How does the influenza vaccine work? • Within 2 weeks, your body’s defenses produce antibodies against the influenza virus. • If you get the flu, you are far less likely to become infected, and if infected, would experience milder symptoms.

12. When should I get vaccinated? • The best time to get vaccinated is October or November. • But even later in the season, the vaccine still provides protection.

13. Reminding our Visitors • Keeping our patients safe also means reminding our visitors about signs and symptoms of the flu. • There is signage posted at the entrance of all inpatient units and in Ambulatory waiting rooms. • The reminder tells visitors to postpone their visit if they have flu-like symptoms

14. Hand Hygiene Stands…New At Karmanos • Are located at main entrance, Ambulatory waiting rooms, Infusion Center and Farmington Hills location • The new stands promote Flu Prevention

15. Flu Myth #1 • The flu is no worse than a bad cold FALSE • Influenza is more severe and dangerous than the common cold. The flu can lead to pneumonia and death.

16. Flu Myth #2 • The flu shot can give you the flu FALSE • The vaccine contains inactivated influenza, and cannot cause the flu. • It is possible to experience certain uncomfortable side effects such as soreness at the site of injection, mild fever, body aches or headache. • If these side effects do occur, they are mild and short-lived in comparison with the actual flu, and are NOT contagious.

17. Flu Myth #3 • Only old people & those who are sick need a flu shot FALSE • Anyone who cannot afford to get sick from the flu, and anyone who is in contact with people that might be harmed by the flu should get vaccinated. • This includes healthy adults, children and all persons working in health care.

18. Patient Safety... it's in YOUR hands!

19. HAND HYGIENE is so IMPORTANT that… • It is a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal • Staff compliance to hand hygiene is measured • monthly and reported monthly to the units • Patients and families are encouraged to ask us • to clean our hands • Every Karmanos health care worker should remind • each other to clean hands appropriately

20. Healthcare workers’ hands can also become contaminated by contact with the patient care environment… not just the patient!!! In this study, each X shows where bacteria were cultured in a room that had been occupied by a patient with an infection.

21. Every year 5 to 10 percent of inpatients develop • infections resulting in 98,000 deaths nationally. • 98,000 deaths equals: • More deaths than those caused by breast cancer, colon cancer and stroke combined • Equivalent to a 747 plane crash killing all passengers/crew every other day • One death every 6 minutes

22. Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene: • before and after direct contact with patients • before andafter removing gloves • before handling an invasive device for patient care • after contact with blood, body fluids or excretions, • mucous membranes, or wound dressings • after contact with contaminated items, such as medical • equipment, medical waste, soiled linen • after contact with objects in the immediate vicinity of • the patient, such as bedside trays, bedrails, phone, etc.

23. Health care workers should perform hand hygiene: • after sneezing or coughing, or disposing of tissues • before and after handling medication • before and after preparing food • before and after using the restroom

24. Alcohol Hand Rubs • Alcohol hand rubs • have been shown to: • Be more effective in reducing • bacteria on hands than soap and • water • Require less time to use • Reduce hand irritation and • dryness with repeated use • Rub a sufficient amount of alcohol • foam over entire surface of hands • until completely dry

25. Soap and Water Wash Handwashing with soap and water is required when hands are visibly dirty or visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids. Wash with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds. Rinse with warm water and turn off faucet with paper towel.

26. Hand Hygiene Score Card How often do healthcare workers REALLY clean their hands between patients? Many observation studies show that HCW use proper hand hygiene only of the time! 20% - 50% THIS ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! WE MUST BE 100%!!

27. Use ONLY Karmanos-approved hand • soaps, alcohol rubs, and lotions: • Lotions from home are not approved for • use in hospitals because: • They can damage the gloves you wear and cause leaks • They easily become contaminated and actually put more bacteria on your skin • They interfere with the antiseptic soaps Karmanos-approved hand lotion

28. Artificial nails hide dangerous germs and increase the risk of spreading bacteria between healthcare workers and patients! • Karmanos policy regarding fingernails: • Artificial nails (including gels and • wraps) are not allowed. • All nails should be nicely trimmed • and should not be more than • ¼ inch long • Nail polish should not be chipped • Jewels or ornaments should not be • attached to the nails This fashion statement can harm patients!

29. Got 15 seconds to save a life? HAND HYGIENE ... it's the RIGHT THING TO DO!

30. Summary • We hope this Computer Based Learning course has been both informative and helpful. • Feel free to review this course until you are confident about your knowledge of the material presented. • Click the Take Test button on the left side when you are ready to complete the requirements for this course. • Click on the My Records button to return to your CBL Courses to Complete list. • Click the Exit button on the left to close the Student Interface.