Flu Prevention Plan

Prevention Of H1N1 Influenza Transmission In The Dental Office

Exposure to the H1N1 virus is thought to occur through droplet exposure of mucosal surfaces. This is by indirect contact, usually by the hands, with respiratory secretions from an infectious patient or contaminated surface. Also, it may occur through inhalation of small particle aerosols from an infected individual.

OSHA has established four risk levels for health care workers based on this pyramid:

1. Very High Exposure Risk. A task involving a medical or dental procedure during which there is a potential of occupational exposure to high concentrations of suspected or confirmed H1N1 influenza virus. This may occur with performing aerosol-generating procedures on suspected or confirmed patients.

2. High Exposure Risk. A procedure involving a high potential for exposure to suspected or confirmed H1N1 influenza virus. This may occur when health care workers are in close contact or working within 6 feet of suspected or confirmed patients.

3. Medium Exposure Risk. A job task or activity is in the Medium Exposure Risk category if it requires frequent, close contact (within 6 feet) with others people, such as coworkers, the general public, school children, or other such individuals or groups.

4. Lower Exposure Risk (Caution). A job task or activity is in the Lower Exposure Risk category if it does not require frequent close contact (within 6 feet) with others people such as coworkers or the general public.

Flu Prevention Plan For This Office

Elimination Of Potential Exposures

The prevention plan for this office will be based on the elimination of potential exposures to suspected or confirmed flu patients to put our staff in the Medium Risk Category. This will be done by deferring treatment of ill patients and source control by masking coughing individuals. The following steps will be taken:

1. Use patient reminder calls to identify patients reporting influenza-like illness and reschedule appointments until 24 hours after the patient is free of fever, without the use of fever reducing medicine.

2. Urgent care patients will be managed with antibiotics and pain medication until 24 hours after the patient is free of fever.

3. Identify patients with influenza-like illness at check-in by asking about the following symptoms:

Fever

Cough

Sore Throat

Runny or Stuffy Nose

Body Aches

Headache

Chills

4. Symptomatic patients will be offered a facemask or tissues to cover coughs and sneezes and asked to follow cough etiquette. These patients will be rescheduled until 24 hours after the patient is free of fever without the use of fever reducing medicines.

Engineering Controls

These are devices that reduce or eliminate exposure at the source. The high volume evacuator (high speed suction) can be used during procedures that generate an aerosol to minimize the aerosol.

Administrative Controls

The following administrative controls will be used:

1. Vaccines: All employees are encouraged to have both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine.

2. Posters: The CDC has developed Cough Etiquette and Respiratory Etiquette posters that can be placed in the office to illustrate the proper way to cover a cough or sneeze.

3. Sick Leave: All employees should self-assess daily for symptom of febrile respiratory illness. Employees who develop fever and respiratory symptoms should notify their supervisor and should not report to work. These employees should remain at home until at least 24 hours after they free of fever without the use of fever reducing medicines. Employees who have a family member who is diagnosed with H1N1 influenza can still go to work, but should monitor themselves for symptoms so that any illness is promptly recognized.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE will be used for exposures that cannot otherwise be eliminated or controlled. PPE includes gloves, surgical masks, protective eyewear and protective gowns.