Pandemic Plan guidelines for the Peter S

Pandemic Plan guidelines for the Peter S. Allen MR Research Centre

Influenza like illness (ILI) is defined as:

Adult: Sudden onset of NEW cough or change in existing cough, Plus one or more of the following:

·                     Fever (≥ 38◦C on arrival or by history)

·                     Sore throat

·                     Joint pain

·                     Muscle aches

·                     Severe exhaustion

Pediatic: Sudden onset of any of the following symptoms:

·                     runny nose

·                     Cough

·                     Sneezing

·                     +/- fever

AHS directive pandemic (H1N1) 2009

In preparation for the Influenza pandemic the following guidelines should be followed as a precaution. These precautions are in compliance with on the AHS recommendations and NACTRC Pandemic preparedness guidelines:

· Posters for Respiratory Hygiene and Stop the Spared of Influenza should be displayed in the approach hallway, waiting room and prep room of the MR research Center (NMR)

· Alcohol Based hand rub (ABHR ) is located in the approach area to the NMR, prep area , 1.5T 3 and 4.7 control rooms and the Wet lab.

· Tissues and a waste container must be easy to access.

· Prior to any research subject arriving at the NMR research center, the participant should be screened by phone to insure they do not have influenza like illness (ILI). If screening at the hospital and your subjects meet ILI definition they should not be brought to the NMR center for further testing or evaluation.

· Subjects should only be rescheduled when they are symptom free. ILI guidelines can be found in the attachment provided.

· Transport of inpatients with suspected or confirmed HINI is for essential purposes only. Please see the attached AHS directive. http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/files/ns-transport-of-patients-with-h1n1-directive-01-006.pdf

· It is recommended that if subjects arrive at the NMR when they are ill with ILI, they are asked to PLEASE GO HOME. They should be encouraged to return when they are no longer symptomatic and are able to participate fully in day to day activities.

· If the subject will not leave immediately they should asked to clean their hands with alcohol based hand rub (ABHR) and don a surgical/procedure mask. They should then be asked to wait in a separate enclosed area, where there should be access to tissues, a waste container and ABHR. This room will be designated as change Room 0A6.12. The staff who will interact with the subject should don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) according to the AHS Point of Care Risk Assessment which follows the Alberta Government Employment and Immigration Best Practice Guidelines for Workplace Health and Safety during Pandemic Influenza. They should be sent home as soon as possible. Please see the attached documents guiding correct procedures for donning and doffing PPE or see the Alberta health services link below.

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/files/ns-ppe-donning.pdf

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/files/ns-ppe-doffing.pdf

· PPE will be located in the NMR center Prep room.

· The algorithm indicating which Personal Protective E should be worn, http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/files/ns-visio-algorithm-ipc.pdf

· Personal hygiene and hand washing must be vigilant at all times. The MR research facility has hand sanitizers located in all public areas and washrooms. Visit AHS website for health professional guidelines: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/660.asp

· ILI guidelines: