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Pandemic Influenza. Objectives. To provide information on: Influenza vs swine influenza Basic infection prevention and control Understand how you can assist with: Encouraging infection control Allaying Staff and Student concerns Helping those who may be ill
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Objectives • To provide information on: • Influenza vs swine influenza • Basic infection prevention and control • Understand how you can assist with: • Encouraging infection control • Allaying Staff and Student concerns • Helping those who may be ill • Supporting for your HoD’s (and vice versa) • Keeping yourself safe
Pandemic Management Crisis Management Team Specialist Advisors CMT (Support) Health & Safety Network
Seasonal Influenza • Caused by a virus • Most common in winter • Easily passed from person to person • More serious than the common cold • Symptoms may last for up to 10 days
Swine (H1N1) Influenza • Little or no human immunity • Increased numbers /populations affected • More serious symptoms • Higher mortality • Scope and rapid spread will stretch existing healthcare resources • Economic and social disruption • Currently no vaccine
Symptoms of Swine Flu • May include • Fever, chills • Muscle pains • Headache • Cough, sore throat, runny nose • Fatigue • Nausea, vomiting or diahorrea (40% of confirmed cases)
Infection Prevention and Control • How is influenza spread? • Droplets from coughs and sneezes • Hand to hand, • Mouth to mouth • On surfaces such as door handles and used tissues • Swine flu - can remain on surfaces for minutes or up to 8 hours
Infection Control – Wash and Dry Hands • Before preparing food and eating • After coughing, sneezing or blowing nose • After using the toilet • Often when looking after sick people
Infection Control • Wash and dry hands properly • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds • Dry hands thoroughly • Keep coughs and sneezes covered • Put tissues straight into the rubbish bin • Social distancing • stay at least a metre away from sick people • Keep areas ventilated
How You Can Help - Encourage Infection Control • Look after yourself! • “Challenge” others: • “I trust you intend to wash your hands” • “Could you cover your cough please • “Should you be at work with a cough like…” • “I would happier if you stayed at home until….” • Be assured - it is okay to give feedback to protect your health • Offer to assist / educate staff • (or get someone else to) • Additional posters • Discussions
An emotionally-charged employee may be a safety hazard Use active listening, reflect concerns Get assistance for key staff to work from home Work with your HOD Allay Staff and Student Concerns
Allay Staff and Student Concerns • Steer them to the facts: • Professional advice • Public Health – Healthline 0800 611 116 • Regional Health and Safety Advisor • Own GP or Doctor • Massey position considers • Clinical risk (what does MoH recommend?) • Comparative risk (other organisations may respond differently to Massey)
Help those who may be ill • If someone has been coughing and is ill: • Isolate • Check their welfare • Strongly encourage them to recover at home • Arrange clean of common items (eg keyboard, shared desk) including public areas • RFM - routine clean (let them know which area) • RFM - special clean – for campuses with work time services • Arrange own supplies for ‘at risk areas’ • E.g. reception counter, waiting areas, exam rooms, libraries • Log ill cases via Health & Safety Advisor or as notified
Keep Yourself Safe • Follow the basic infection control principles to prevent the spread of influenza (ie, hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, social distance). • Mask and gloves are only if you need to be closer than a metre when caring for a sick person. • During cleaning • Dispose of cleaning materials to rubbish. • Wash hands afterwards
If You Become Ill • Arrange a colleague to cover • After the “worst of it”: • Phone messages • Email • Web accesses • VPN
Work with your HoD • Perhaps you can: • Coordinate After-hours contacts details • Facilitate remote working • Define critical services • Reinforce hygiene messages • Assist others to plan for public /staff interactions
Work with your HoD • Perhaps your HOD can: • Reinforce the importance of your role with staff • Prompt discussions on contingencies • “have you considered how to manage this function with 1/3rd of our staff?” • Assist with resourcing for you
Questions Thank you for your support of health and safety!