Federal Agencies Announce Measures to Protect
Healthcare Workers from Exposure to 2009 H1N1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) each have recently made announcements pertaining to infection control guidelines for treating patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza.
During a conference call on Oct. 14, the CDC and Department of Labor introduced revised guidelines that reiterate the CDC's previous recommendations that healthcare workers in close contact with patients with confirmed or suspected H1N1 influenza wear N95 respirators. The following day, OSHA announced its intention to issue a compliance directive that closely follows the CDC's. The intent of the compliance directive is to minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to 2009 H1N1 influenza.
Both the CDC and OSHA acknowledge that providers may experience supply shortages and provide strategies hospitals may use to prioritize use of N95 respirators, reduce consumption of the respirators and extend their use. For additional guidance on respiratory protection measures, the CDC has also released a Q&A document.
At this time, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) as well as national organizations representing infection control professionals and infectious disease experts have not revised less restrictive recommendations that permit use of N95 respirators by healthcare workers participating in aerosol generating procedures.
AzHHA will continue to monitor revisions to infection control recommendations and inform members of changes. For more information, contact AzHHA's Debbie Johnston at 602-445-4300, ext. 4304, or djohnston@azhha.org.
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H1N1 Vaccine Arrives in Hospitals
Providers are in the midst of distributing their allotment of the 70,700 doses of the H1N1 Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) FluMist to their healthcare workers. For healthcare workers who may have questions about the FluMist, hospitals are encouraged to utilize the online fact sheet provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a source of accurate information.
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AZ Pharmacy Board Provides Solution to Tamiflu Suspension Shortage
Hospital and retail pharmacists have asked the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy for guidance on compounding of Tamiflu suspension. The pharmacists' request stems from concerns expressed by physicians about difficulty in obtaining Tamiflu supension for pediatric patients.
Hal Wand, RPh, executive director, Arizona State Board of Pharmacy, states that pharmacists may compound Tamiflu suspension by using instructions on the Roché package insert (page 19) when it is unavailable from permitted manufacturers or wholesalers. Pharmacists may not compound similar products using bulk chemicals from a source other than Tamiflu capsules from Roché. For more information, visit the Roché Web site.
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Crafting the Message on Emergency Department Crowding
Emergency preparedness coordinators and public relations executives from Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) member hospitals are invited to participate in a statewide workshop at Arizona State University's (ASU's) Decision Theater. Improving Risk Communication During a Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities takes place:
November 9, 2009
8 am - 4 pm
Arizona State University
502 E. Monroe St.
Building C, Room C145
Phoenix
For more information or to RSVP, contact Diane Reed of ADHS at reedp@azdhs.gov.
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