To assist SEIU health care members in preparing to deal with the serious flu outbreak expected this season, the Nurse Alliance Health & Safety Committee has compiled this resource list for healthcare workers.

Health care workers are doubly exposed to the virus, both through their normal everyday activities and in the health care environment where sick patients come for care.

These resources cover a wide range of issues, such as how flu spreads, the differences between seasonal and a pandemic flu, like H1N1, and why infection control is the best tool for controlling the spread of the flu virus.

Included is an "employer check list" factsheet which will give you and your co-workers a quick way to assess your worksite's readiness. It covers questions such as, "Is your employer providing respirator training?" and "Does your employer have a written plan for you to review that covers who they will retain and increase staffing to deal with a surge in patients?"

Additionally, you can look at a Power Point from the webinar hosted by the Nurses Alliance on October 13.

This Resource page was entirely updated October 26, with new content added on December 7. It will updated frequently throughout this flu season.

Factsheets:

H1N1 (Swine), Pandemic and Seasonal Flu: What's the Same, What's Different?
Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare. April 28, 2009.

Infection Control to Prevent the Spread of H1N1 (Swine) Flu in Healthcare Settings.
Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare. April 28, 2009.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Response Plan Checklist.
Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare. April 28, 2009.

Flu Mandatory Vaccines a Bad Idea 9-23-09 with footnotes
SEIU. September 21, 2009.

Respiratory Infection Control: Respirators Versus Surgical Masks.
General Procedures for Properly Putting on and Taking Off a Disposable Respirator. CDC 2009
OSHA Factsheet. 2009.

Report Brief. Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A: A Letter Report.Institute of Medicine (IOM). September 1, 2009.

Surveys of Healthcare Workers Experience:

California Nurses Report on H1N1 May 18, 2009. Nurse Alliance of SEIU Healthcare. May 18, 2009.

Healthcare Workers In Peril: Preparing To Protect Worker Health And Safety:

During Pandemic Influenza. A Union Survey Report. AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, CWA, SEIU, UAN, and UFCW. April 16, 2009.

Federal Agency Guidance:

CDC Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting

New California OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standard (became effective August 5, 2009):Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard. CalOSHA Title 8, Chapter 4, Section 5199. August 2009.

Cal/OSHA Interim Enforcement Policy on H1N1 and Section 5199 (Aerosol Transmissible Diseases). CalOSHA. September 8, 2009.

Professional Organization Guidance:

Seasonal Influenza Prevention in Health Care Workers. American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). 2006.

Reports:

Respiratory protection for healthcare workers in the workplace against novel H1N1 influenza A: A letter report. Institute of Medicine (IOM). September 1, 2009.

Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers.

Institute of Medicine (IOM). September 18, 2007

Videos:

"Talkin bout the flu"
This video from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) features former SEIU members in Massachusetts.

Surgical Masks Not Effective for Airborne Flu

Respirators are the only personal protective equipment designed to protect against airborne exposures. Surgical or procedure masks will not protect against airborne flu exposure.

Influenza Respirator Selection and Fit Testing Overview for Healthcare Workers
Your employer must select a properly designed and approved respirator for you to wear to properly protect you. This clip shows the basics of selecting a proper respirator and the gives an introduction to the important 20 minute fit testing procedure to insure the respirator fits properly. For more on respirator selection, fit testing and other related topics, go to the US OSHA website

Putting on Influenza PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers must be provided with the proper PPE, including respirators ( not surgical masks) to protect them from airborne, droplet and contact transmission of the current H1N1 flu virus. . For more on respirator selection, fit testing and PPE, go to the US OSHA website.

Taking Off Influenza PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for Healthcare Workers
This video provides good procedures for healthcare workers for removing their contaminated influenza PPE. Proper removal is important to prevent becoming infected from the contaminated PPE.

Influenza Respirator Fit Testing: Qualitative Method
This video shows the importance of respirator fit testing for healthcare workers who will be exposed to H1N1 (swine) flu. It demonstrates the qualitative fit testing protocol, one of several OSHA approved methods that employers must use. A proper fit test following OSHA's procedures takes at least 15 minutes per person and must be done annually. Without passing a fit test, a respirator will not provide the expected protection and the wearer will be at an increased risk of becoming ill from the flu. You are fit tested to a specific model and size respirator which your employer then must provide you when needed while working.

Influenza Respirator Fit Testing: Portacount Quantitative Method
This video shows the importance of respirator fit testing for healthcare workers who will be exposed to H1N1 (swine) flu. It demonstrates the quantitative fit testing protocol, (using the TSI Portacount machine) one of several OSHA approved methods that employers must use. A proper fit test following OSHA's procedures takes at least 15 minutes per person and must be done annually. Without passing a fit test, a respirator will not provide the expected protection and the wearer will be at an increased risk of becoming ill from the flu. You are fit tested to a specific model and size respirator which your employer then must provide you when needed while working.

Respiratory Hygiene 1948 British National Health Service
From the 1948 British National Health Service (NHS) Public Information Film, Coughs and Sneezes, this clip shows how to reduce the spread of disease from sneezing and coughing. Today, this is known as respiratory hygiene or cough etiquette and is an important way to reduce the spread of diseases such as the flu.

* These video clips are from a 2008 Australian Government Department of Health and Aging DVD "Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Safe Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)" downloadable from their website. While from Australia, they do show procedures in compliance with current OSHA regulations and guidance.

Links:

CDC website 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
OSHA website on Pandemic Influenza
NIOSH website on Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu)
Flu.gov website
Federal Guidelines Encourage Employers to Plan Now for Upcoming Influenza Season

Recommended Site: PandemicFluAndYou.org   Discard fiction and fear for facts and action. Visit this site to get the real story about pandemic flu, such as the 10 things you can do to prepare, plus the 10 things your workplace can do.