Sample Masking Policy:

Influenza Information for Clark County EMS Providers

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Each year in the United States on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 die from flu-related causes, mostly at the extremes of age. Healthcare Personnel (HCP), including those in EMS, have a responsibility to the community to reduce the spread of influenza from healthcare worker to patient, and a responsibility to themselves and their families to reduce the risk of spread of influenza from patient to healthcare worker.

The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination annually. The CDC recommends immunization of all health care workers, and, as well, drop isolation masking to prevent respiratory aerosol spread of the disease.

Hospitals in Clark County have adopted policies of an expectation of annual influenza vaccination for all Healthcare Personnel including non-employees and contractors, to include EMS personnel entering the hospital buildings for patient delivery or pick-up. Immunized HCP will be identified by a “sticker” attached to their name badges. During Active Influenza Season, declared by the Public Health Department, personnel not having public identification of vaccination (sticker) will be required to wear a drop isolation mask at all times while in any hospital areas.

CDC Core Prevention Strategies for Influenza include:

  • Annual administration of influenza vaccine to all HCP
  • Appropriate management of ill HCP (stay home, do not go to work)
  • Compliance with respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette practices
  • Adherence to infection prevention and control precautions for patients with influenza like illness (ILI) (follow patient isolation guidelines and procedures)
  • Compliance with environmental and engineering infection control measures, and
  • Exclusion of visitors with ILI from hospital and patient care areas.

As your Medical Program Director I strongly encourage you to get annual influenza vaccinations, for you, and your patient’s protection. No immunization can be mandated, as you always have the right to refuse; however, you should carefully consider the benefits to you and your community before making the decision. Many of the “reasons” given for refusal are not scientific and are based on misinformation. Feel free to contact me to discuss any concerns you have about the vaccine. Incidentally, I have had my vaccination, as I do annually.

Your agency will provide you an opportunity to get a flu shot while on duty. Contact your supervisor for further information.

During active influenza season, as declared by the Public Health Department, I will require all non-immunized personnel to wear a drop isolation mask on all patient contacts. This is being written into protocol (Standing Orders) at this time. Of course, all usual personal protection protocols remain in effect, as well.

Annual influenza vaccination is a safe and preventive health action that benefits all age groups. However, certain people have a higher risk for influenza complications, including people aged 65 years and older, children younger than 6 months of age, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

These people, their household and close contacts, and all health care personnel should continue to be a primary focus for vaccination efforts as providers and programs transition to routinely vaccinating all people 6 months of age and older.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommends Universal Annual Influenza Vaccination.

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