Priorities%20of%20Public%20Information%20During%20a%20Pandemic

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Priorities of Public InformationDuring a Pandemic

• NWCPHP Summer Institute 2006
• Team 1

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Priorities

• Respiratory Etiquette
• Definition of Illness
• Access to Health Care
• Caring for the Sick
• Caring for the Deceased

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Other Issues

• Public Expectations
• Media Resources Used
• Access to Other Medications
• Distribution Priority of Medications
• Other Environmental Issues (Food Water Safety)
• Recommendation of Personal Supplies

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RespiratoryEtiquette

• Stop germs from spreading.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Wash thoroughly with warm water and soap for 20
  seconds.
• Make sure to wash your hands before eating, or
  touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If caring for ill persons, wash hands after
  providing assistance.
• Always wash your hands after sneezing, blowing
  your nose, or coughing, or after touching used
  tissues or handkerchiefs.
• If hand washing is not possible, use an
  alcohol-based hand cleaner.

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RespiratoryEtiquette (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.
• Dont share items such as cigarettes, towels,
  lipstick, toys or anything else that might be
  contaminated with germs.
• Dont share food, utensils or beverage containers
  with others.

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RespiratoryEtiquette (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.

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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

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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

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Access to Health Care (cont.)

• When to Go for Medical Care
• Adults and Pediatrics
• Change in Mental Status
• Shortness of Breath
• Temp 102o for Several Days
• No Urine Output
• Dry Mouth/Cracked Lips
• Green/yellow Sputum
• Duration of Illness
• Adults 7 days
• 12 y/o 10 days

• Infants
• Lethargic
• Irritability

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Care for the Sick

• 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
• Fever gt 101o for gt 48 Hours
• Nothing by Mouth

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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

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Care for the Deceased (cont.)

• Steps to Prepare the Body for Temporary Storage
• 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
  cant 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.