influenza: practical tips for assisted living
TRANSCRIPT
Influenza: Practical Tips for Assisted Living
September, 2019
NADONA
Wendy Gardner, BSN, RN-BC, CALN, FACDONA
Influenza: Practical Tips for Assisted Living
September, 2019
NADONA
Written by Wendy Gardner, BSN, RN-BC, CALN, FACDONA
Presented by John Grieco LPN, BS, MBA, DSc
Director of Operations/COO for Northwest Geriatrics
ILStandby
• Independent-Rental Only
• Licensable Units/Beds on Standby
AL
• Personal Care Services
• Intermittent Nursing Care
MC• Secured Unit for Memory Care
Assisted Living Model
Challenges With Symptom Monitoring
Observation
Report Changes
Evaluation & Service Plan
Update
Implement Service Plan
Evaluation
Assessment
Diagnosis
Planning Implementation
Evaluation
Outbreak Tips for Assisted Living
EducationStaff, Residents & Visitors
PoliciesPart of routine training
Infection control (supplies)Human Resources
Flu Shot ClinicsHome Office sets up vendor
Open to residents, staff, public
Observation•Key contacts
•Dining, Housekeeping, Care, Reception, Activities
Preparation
Outbreak Tips for Assisted Living
EducationStaff, Residents & Visitors
HandwashingPTO (24 hrs after fever resolves)
PoliciesWhen to implement
Shut down group settingsAlternates for activities and dining
Clean, Clean & Clean again
CommunicationTransparency: Open & regular
Letter to residentsSignage
Daily updates
Tracking•Reporting to Health Department
•Reporting to DSHS•Floorplan•Case Log
Implementation
AL Response to Influenza
Policies and Procedures
Education
Observation & Reporting
Implementation of Plan
Ongoing Communication
Lisa Stubenrauch RN-BC BSN CDONA/LTC RAC-CT
NHA
Administrator
Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
President
WA State Chapter of NADONA/LTC
WANADONA
We get the FLU SHOT because we care
about PROTECTING OURSELVES, our
FAMILIES, and our RESIDENTS.
We encourage you to find your reason
“WHY” and get the FLU SHOT as soon
as possible!
A message from your Nurse Practitioner’s
Maura DeOliveira ARNP and Jayne Feinberg ARNP
Promote: Influenza Season Check List
• Place signs at the entrance of building at the start of flu
season that encourage visitors to get the flu vaccine and
not to visit if they have any symptoms that could be flu.
• Offer flu vaccine and encourage all staff and residents to
get flu vaccine when it becomes available.
• Refer residents >65 or who are at high risk for pneumonia
to HCP for pneumococcal vaccine
Educate
• Educate staff to flu signs and symptoms.
• Educate staff at every opportunity (such as All Staff meetings, postings, and in-services) regarding
importance of getting flu vaccine and on the importance of staying home if they have symptoms that
could be flu
• Educate each department regarding ways they can prevent an outbreak from occurring.
• Educate those that wear a mask they are educated regarding changing it if it becomes moist.
• Place Handouts at the front desk for visitors regarding flu symptoms and the dangers that getting the
flu poses to our vulnerable population.
• Increase education during flu season for staff regarding donning and doffing of PPE, hand hygiene,
and cough etiquette.
Signs and Symptoms of the Flu
• Fever or feeling feverish/chills*
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm
Flu Signs and symptoms
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm
Set Expectations
• Meet with all department heads ahead of flu season and have an open
discussion regarding what each department’s responsibilities will be if
an outbreak is to occur.
• Give each department head in writing what their department’s
responsibility will be during an outbreak and have them in-service their
staff.
• Front desk staff will be trained to encourage all visitors to use hand gel
before and after visit. Front desk will also be educated on s/sx that
could be flu, to encourage those with symptoms to either not visit, or to
wear a mask.
• Housekeeping to start cleaning high touch area’s more frequently with
bleach solution.
Activate Flu Plan
1. If any resident presents with any flu symptoms, interview them if able and specifically ask about other symptoms related to the flu. Record symptoms as they go on your Phone Line Listing for Public Health Department.
2. Place resident on droplet isolation immediately if you suspect influenza.
3. Notify the medical doctor.
4. Test for influenza via nasal swab and request that PCR test be done as rapid is not reliable.
5. Place all other residents on unit/wing on a symptoms checklist.
6. If any other residents present with flu-like symptoms, place them on isolation and test for Influenza via PCR.
7. If one positive test is returned, then start Line Listing and notify the Public Health Department via fax or phone call.
8. Notify state hotline.
9. If possible, close doors to the hall/unit/wing that reported cases are on.
10. Close dining room on the affected unit and have al residents eat in their rooms.
Activate Flu Plan
• All residents and/or their families are notified of outbreak.
• Encouraged residents that are non-symptomatic to stay in their room.
• Isolate staff to that unit, not allowing staff to float between units.
• Post signs notifying people of outbreak to all entrances of the facility and on the closed doors of the
unit that is having the flu outbreak.
• Visitors are notified verbally by receptionist that we are in the midst of flu outbreak. They are
encouraged not to visit.
• If visitors want to come into to the infected unit they are encouraged to wear a mask. Visitors are also
educated about the importance of hand hygiene.
• Front desk to have an updated copy of residents who are on isolation. If visitors are going into isolation
rooms they are educated on the use of PPE and the importance of not coming out of the room wearing
their PPE.
• All staff are notified that they must enter on unit that they work.
• Staff are told not to report to work if they have any symptoms that could be related to the flu. CDC
recommendation is excluding until at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or exclude from
work for 7 days from symptom onset.
09/2019
Lisa Stubenrauch RN-BC BSN CDONA/LTC RAC-CT NHA
President WA State Chapter of NADONA
Administrator Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center