Transcript Priorities of Public Information During a Pandemic

Priorities of Public Information
During a Pandemic
NWCPHP Summer Institute 2006
Team 1
Priorities
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Respiratory Etiquette
Definition of Illness
Access to Health Care
Caring for the Sick
Caring for the Deceased
Other Issues
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Public Expectations
Media Resources Used
Access to Other Medications
Distribution Priority of Medications
Other Environmental Issues (Food & Water Safety)
Recommendation of Personal Supplies
Respiratory
Etiquette
 Stop germs from spreading.
• Wash your hands frequently.
o Wash thoroughly with warm water and soap for 20 seconds.
o Make sure to wash your hands before eating, or touching your
eyes, nose and mouth.
o If caring for ill persons, wash hands after providing assistance.
o Always wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your nose, or
coughing, or after touching used tissues or handkerchiefs.
o If hand washing is not possible, use an alcohol-based hand
cleaner.
Respiratory
Etiquette (cont.)
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with
tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve. Put used
tissues in the trash.
• Don’t share items such as cigarettes, towels, lipstick, toys or
anything else that might be contaminated with germs.
• Don’t share food, utensils or beverage containers with others.
Respiratory
Etiquette (cont.)
 Stay home when you are sick.
• See your health care provider as soon as you can if you have a cough
and a fever, and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as
prescribed and getting rest.
• If asked, use a mask when visiting your health care provider.
Definition of Illness
 Pandemic Flu
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Muscle Aches
• Eye Infections
• Pneumonia
• Acute Respiratory Distress
 Pneumonia
• Cough w/mucus
• Chills
• Shallow Breathing
• Rapid Heart Beat
• Weak
• Fatigue
Access to
Health Care
 Where to Go for Medical Care
• Check w/local hospitals via phone or internet for screening information
• Identify curb-side triage area
• Hospital staff will conduct triage of potentially ill & recommend
treatment and/or admittance to hospital
• If sent home, carefully follow instructions provided by the hospitals
Access to
Health Care (cont.)
 When to Go for Medical Care
• Adults and Pediatrics
o Change in Mental Status
o Shortness of Breath
o Temp ≥ 102o for Several Days
o No Urine Output
o Dry Mouth/Cracked Lips
o Green/yellow Sputum
o Duration of Illness
 Adults – 7 days
 ≤ 12 y/o – 10 days
• Infants
o Lethargic
o Irritability
Care for the Sick
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PPE for Caregiver (Change After Every Interaction)
Hydration – as much as Tolerable (8 oz. every 1-2 Hours)
Tylenol or Motrin per the Received Dosage
Rectal Medications for Children Vomiting
Keep in a Separate Room and Limit Access
Wash Bathroom Facilities w/Hypochlorite Solution (.08% Bleach)
Call your Doctor or (Hotline) if:
o Fever > 101o for > 48 Hours
o Nothing by Mouth
Care for the
Deceased
 Concerns about Infection
• Bodies are NOT Infectious from Infuenza after Death
• You can safely handle and transport the body with your bare hands if
death has occurred: however it is always advisable to avoid or limit
contact with any bodily fluids
• After handling the body it is important to Wash your Hands with
warm soap and water
Care for the
Deceased (cont.)
 Steps to Prepare the Body for Temporary Storage
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Provide identification of the deceased
Do not remove jewelry or any personnel effects from the body
Dentures should be left in.
Keep the body in as cool and dry a place as possible, preferably in an
area that insects can’t easily get into.
• Windows with screens may be opened or closed as needed to keep
the room as cool as possible while preventing insects from coming in.
• Place the body on a plastic sheet or other plastic covering, if possible,
to prevent direct contact with the floor surface.
• Wrap or cover the body with a single layer of cloth, such as a cotton
sheet. Prior to wrapping, you can dampen the cloth with a small
amount of non-caustic (containing no bleach or lye) cleaner such as
Lysol or Mr. Clean to help deodorize the body and discourage insects.