OSE_1303_part1_Layout 1 2/7/13 4:10 PM Page 40
INFECTION PREVENTION
WORST YET TO COME?
Flu Levels Already at Epidemic Proportions
B
y mid-January, the CDC had announced that influenza
2012–2013 had reached epidemic proportions — literally. Total
weekly deaths attributable to the flu (and related disease esca-
lation, such as pneumonia) topped the 7.2% "epidemic" threshold, and 9
of 10 U.S. regions had "elevated" flu activity, the agency says.
reach out to patients, the more advance notice you'll have if they
need to cancel, and the less a cancellation will affect the surgical
schedule.
If you see in the patient's H&P that they work in a school, or that the
patient lives in a nursing home — if they spend a lot of time in any
higher-risk setting — educate them about good hand hygiene practices and advise them to call the surgeon if they start to have flu
symptoms.
Finally, extend prevention efforts to families and caregivers — we're
encouraging all family and patients to wear masks while in our facility. We've posted notices about flu prevention at the front door and
registration areas. To make it easy, we provide free masks and extra
bottles of hand sanitizer in the lobby.
3
4 0
Sanitizing wipes. In addition to the regular surface disinfection
efforts — devices, blood pressure cuffs, chairs and the like in
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | F E B R U A R Y 2013
