Tis the Season! Flu season that is

On January 27th, 2010 Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) issued a media release announcing an influenza outbreak. The outbreak has had a rippling effect through out the hospital which prompted me to write this blog. Many of us think that catching the flu is someone else’s problem. The truth is that it can happen to anyone of us and there are measures to protect ourselves.

Did you know that between 2,000 to 8,000 Canadians die every year from the flu? Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, extreme weakness and fatigue. Much of Canada is reaching its peak for experiencing influenza and influenza-like illnesses. Many local healthcare facilities and long term care homes are experiencing outbreaks of influenza.

As a result of the influenza outbreak at CKHA: visitor screening and restrictions were instituted; children under 12 were unable to visit; only patients with influenza like symptoms were admitted to Medicine A; and everyone worked around the clock to help mitigate any further spread. The teamwork involved during any sort of emergency always amazes me. Special thanks to the Medicine Team, Infection Control Team, Occupational Health & Safety Team, Communication Team; Support Services Team; and our Physician Leaders.

After some reflection, the influenza outbreak at CKHA has instilled in me the importance of the annual flu shot and our responsibility as health care professionals to encourage the flu shot with our families, friends, and patients.I would like to share a quote from Best Practices for Prevention of Acute Respiratory Infection in All Health Care Settings, as I found it quite powerful: “Influenza immunization for staff involved in direct client/patient/resident care (including physicians, nurses, emergency response workers, employees of long-term care homes who have contact with residents, providers of home care, visiting nurses and volunteers) is a standard of care. In the absence of contraindications to the vaccine, refusal to be immunized against influenza is a failure in staff’s duty of care to patients.”If you have not already been vaccinated, it’s not too late to do so. Clinics are available for staff at CKHA, and for the public through Public Health (519-352-7270). For general information about flu visit: http://www.chatham-kent.ca/community+services/Public+Health/immunization/childrens+immunization/Influenza+%28Flu%29+Vaccine.htm
Remember - the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to get influenza vaccine, cover your cough, clean your hands often and stay home when you are sick.