Safety

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What is novel H1N1 (swine flu)?

Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.

Click Here for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

OSHA to issue directive on H1N1-related inspection procedures

OSHA announced in a recent press release that it will soon issue a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus. Read more

N-95 respirators and surgical masks: NIOSH and CDC recommendations

Although their appearance is often similar, respirators are designed and engineered for distinctly different functions than surgical masks. The amount of exposure reduction offered by respirators and surgical masks differs.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of a NIOSH-certified N-95 or better respirator for the protection of healthcare workers who come in direct contact with patients with H1N1. Read more

CDC answers top 10 frequently asked questions on immunization programs and providers

Two different influenza vaccines are available this influenza season, and many people will be recommended to receive both the seasonal influenza vaccine and the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine (referred to in this document as 2009 H1N1 vaccine).

Below are some practical considerations for use of influenza vaccines. They are only intended to address the current pandemic situation and might change as the situation unfolds. They are not intended to be applied to routine use during future seasonal influenza vaccination efforts. Read more

Words of caution when administering Tamiflu® and Relenza®

On September 22, 2009, CDC advised healthcare professionals that the oral dosing dispenser provided with Tamiflu® Oral Suspension is marked with 30 mg, 45 mg, and 60 mg graduations, rather than graduations in milliliters (mL) or teaspoons (tsp). There have been cases where the units of measure on the prescription dosing instructions (mL, tsp) do not match the units on the dosing device (mg), which can lead to patient or caregiver confusion and dosing errors. Read more

FDA approves seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for pediatric use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 years to 17 years. Previously, this vaccine, which contains inactivated (killed) influenza A and B viruses, had been approved for use in adults, ages 18 years and older. Read more

2009 worldwide toll so far: 399,232+ cases of H1N1 confirmed, 4,735+ deaths reported

As of October 11, 2009, worldwide there have been more than 399,232 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 and more than 4,735 deaths reported to the World Health Organization. Read more

Emergency Management Plan

The Emergency Management Plan is intended to establish policies, procedures and organizational structure for response to emergencies that are of a magnitude to cause a significant disruption of the functioning of all or portions of your company . This plan describes the roles and responsibilities of departments and personnel during emergency situations. The basic emergency procedures are designed to protect lives and property through effective use of your company and community resources. Since an emergency may be sudden and without warning, these procedures are designed to be flexible in order to accommodate contingencies of various types and magnitudes.

This Emergency Management Plan addresses several specific types of emergencies on an individual basis, providing guidelines for the stabilization and recovery from the incident. These include emergency instructions and references in a concise format for the individuals designated to manage your company resources.

Click Here for a sample program

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