MrsJoey
04-30-2009, 10:25 AM
how swine flu spreads.... ;)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c257/smoochies5/swineflu.jpg
info/prevention my company (Emory Healthcare) sent out to us: read and be aware! everyone be safe! Love you girls!
Dear EHC employees,
As news about swine influenza (“the swine flu”) continues to circulate, it is important to equip ourselves with information about the swine flu, what we can do to protect ourselves and how best to serve our patients. Know that EMORY HEALTHCARE is acutely aware of swine flu activity, and we are dedicated to keeping you informed and protected. Below is a list of key points; keep reading for more details.
• The swine flu is a worldwide outbreak of a new influenza strain. We currently do not know the severity of the outbreak.
• EMORY HEALTHCARE and The Emory University Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) are partnering to oversee additional planning for potential spread of the virus.
• Special screenings and protocols are in place at all patient intake areas – Emergency departments and The Emory Clinic. Otherwise, for now, it is “business as usual” across EMORY HEALTHCARE.
• Employees with flu-like symptoms (listed below) should stay at home and call Employee Health (phone numbers listed below).
• If you think you may have been exposed to the swine flu, monitor yourself for symptoms before coming to work each day.
• Protect yourself, and your patients, by practicing hand hygiene and covering your coughs and sneezes.
What we know
The swine flu originates from a new influenza virus of swine origin. Cases have been reported internationally, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported the first swine flu-related death in the United States (in Texas). Most people will not have immunity to this virus. More cases, which will result in increased hospitalizations and deaths, are expected in the coming weeks.
What we don’t know
No one knows if this strain of influenza will cause the next influenza pandemic (worldwide epidemic). We also don’t know whether this strain of influenza is any more dangerous than the usual seasonal influenza. However, it is different enough from the usual influenza in that we must plan for “worst case” scenarios. Because the best approach to managing influenza depends on the extent of the problem, our recommendations to employees and patients may change. Please be aware that the public health and EMORY HEALTHCARE approaches for managing swine influenza will likely change as this outbreak evolves.
What we are doing
EMORY HEALTHCARE has created a steering committee to oversee additional planning for potential spread of the swine flu and is partnering with The Emory University Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR). Measures are in place in all Emergency departments and The Emory Clinic facilities in preparation for patients presenting with symptoms. These measures include signage in all patient intake areas and special screening protocols.
What you need to know
As always, our focus continues to be the well-being of our patients, their families and our employees. Presently, EMORY HEALTHCARE is operating per usual, while closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation. Swine flu transmission appears to be similar to seasonal influenza, through person-to-person contact. You CANNOT get it by eating pork. While standard influenza precautions are likely to be effective, enhanced infection control measures, such as using N-95 respirators and gowns, may be used for managing suspected cases of swine flu.
You can protect yourself, and your patients, by doing the following:
• If you think you have influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), do not come to work. Contact Employee Health at one of the following numbers:
1. Emory University Hospital: 404-686-8589
2. Emory University Hospital Midtown: 404-686-2537
3. Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital: 404-251-3075
4. Wesley Woods Center: 404-728-6437
• If you believe you have been exposed to the swine flu, or have recently visited a high-risk area, monitor yourself before coming to work each day by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Do I have a fever?
2. Do I have a sore throat?
3. Am I coughing?
4. Do my muscles ache?
5. Do I feel ill?
If you answer “yes” to any of the above questions, do not report to work. Call Employee Health.
• Regularly clean your hands with alcohol-based hand cleansers or soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper arm, not your hand. If you are coughing and sneezing, carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently.
For more information on the swine flu, visit the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response Web site at www.emory.edu/CEPAR.
We promise to keep you updated on any news related to the swine flu. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please speak with your leader.
Thank you for your dedication to keeping our patients, their families and your co-workers safe.
Bill
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c257/smoochies5/swineflu.jpg
info/prevention my company (Emory Healthcare) sent out to us: read and be aware! everyone be safe! Love you girls!
Dear EHC employees,
As news about swine influenza (“the swine flu”) continues to circulate, it is important to equip ourselves with information about the swine flu, what we can do to protect ourselves and how best to serve our patients. Know that EMORY HEALTHCARE is acutely aware of swine flu activity, and we are dedicated to keeping you informed and protected. Below is a list of key points; keep reading for more details.
• The swine flu is a worldwide outbreak of a new influenza strain. We currently do not know the severity of the outbreak.
• EMORY HEALTHCARE and The Emory University Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) are partnering to oversee additional planning for potential spread of the virus.
• Special screenings and protocols are in place at all patient intake areas – Emergency departments and The Emory Clinic. Otherwise, for now, it is “business as usual” across EMORY HEALTHCARE.
• Employees with flu-like symptoms (listed below) should stay at home and call Employee Health (phone numbers listed below).
• If you think you may have been exposed to the swine flu, monitor yourself for symptoms before coming to work each day.
• Protect yourself, and your patients, by practicing hand hygiene and covering your coughs and sneezes.
What we know
The swine flu originates from a new influenza virus of swine origin. Cases have been reported internationally, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported the first swine flu-related death in the United States (in Texas). Most people will not have immunity to this virus. More cases, which will result in increased hospitalizations and deaths, are expected in the coming weeks.
What we don’t know
No one knows if this strain of influenza will cause the next influenza pandemic (worldwide epidemic). We also don’t know whether this strain of influenza is any more dangerous than the usual seasonal influenza. However, it is different enough from the usual influenza in that we must plan for “worst case” scenarios. Because the best approach to managing influenza depends on the extent of the problem, our recommendations to employees and patients may change. Please be aware that the public health and EMORY HEALTHCARE approaches for managing swine influenza will likely change as this outbreak evolves.
What we are doing
EMORY HEALTHCARE has created a steering committee to oversee additional planning for potential spread of the swine flu and is partnering with The Emory University Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR). Measures are in place in all Emergency departments and The Emory Clinic facilities in preparation for patients presenting with symptoms. These measures include signage in all patient intake areas and special screening protocols.
What you need to know
As always, our focus continues to be the well-being of our patients, their families and our employees. Presently, EMORY HEALTHCARE is operating per usual, while closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation. Swine flu transmission appears to be similar to seasonal influenza, through person-to-person contact. You CANNOT get it by eating pork. While standard influenza precautions are likely to be effective, enhanced infection control measures, such as using N-95 respirators and gowns, may be used for managing suspected cases of swine flu.
You can protect yourself, and your patients, by doing the following:
• If you think you have influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), do not come to work. Contact Employee Health at one of the following numbers:
1. Emory University Hospital: 404-686-8589
2. Emory University Hospital Midtown: 404-686-2537
3. Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital: 404-251-3075
4. Wesley Woods Center: 404-728-6437
• If you believe you have been exposed to the swine flu, or have recently visited a high-risk area, monitor yourself before coming to work each day by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Do I have a fever?
2. Do I have a sore throat?
3. Am I coughing?
4. Do my muscles ache?
5. Do I feel ill?
If you answer “yes” to any of the above questions, do not report to work. Call Employee Health.
• Regularly clean your hands with alcohol-based hand cleansers or soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper arm, not your hand. If you are coughing and sneezing, carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently.
For more information on the swine flu, visit the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ or the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response Web site at www.emory.edu/CEPAR.
We promise to keep you updated on any news related to the swine flu. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please speak with your leader.
Thank you for your dedication to keeping our patients, their families and your co-workers safe.
Bill