My Swine Flu "kit."

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Eightydeuce

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My department has issued me my Swine Flu "kit".

This kit includes a pair of nitrile gloves (with powder even), an N95 surgical type mask and a P.A.W.S. hand wipe.

My question is this. Lets say an infected person, be it Flu or any similar illness happens to spit at me. Can I be infected if it gets into my eyes? or am I only at risk if it gets into my lungs? Should I buy a good set of goggles?

Thanks.
 
Are you this paranoid during the regular flu season?

There is some very good information in this thread.

http://www.emtlife.com/showthread.php?t=12455

Influenza A is nothing new and there are cases in the community at any given time. Some strains are just a little more virulent than others and some people are more subseptible to diseases then others for a variety of reasons. There are many other bacteria, viruses and what not out there that can do much more damage and be just as deadly especially if you are the carrier who passes it on to a patient.

I suggest you sign up for some infection control or OSHA classes at your local hospital or continuing education departments at the colleges. Get some solid facts to enhance your knowledge.
 
i would suggest your company were targeted my some medical company selling their wares and you are now taking delivery


IC795New.jpg


I got this almost the day swine flu made the news, £20
 
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I would not say I am paranoid at all.

I never get a flu shot and in fact had Flu A a few weeks ago.

I only asked about goggles to compliment my swine flu kit because this is the first time my department has ever handed out items to address a specific threat. :sad:

EDIT: Actually I am paranoid, but its not about the flu. It concerns these guys in black sunglasses that keep following me.........oh well never mind.
 
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I just read your other posts and realize you are not in the medical profession. I still suggest the classes which some of the OSHA classes should have already been made available to you if there were the possibliity of blood contact or high risk jail/prison populations. The items in that kit can still be needed for a variety of situations.

As a LEO, I wouldn't get too distracted by doing first-aid unless it is in a very rural situation and you are very, very sure the scene is safe. If there is still a potential danger to the public at large, set your priorities and get rescue there as quickly as possible. The same advice goes for when you are off duty.

Edit:
I would say having a healthy respect for the diseases is better than being paranoid. It implies you know what they are capable of and know how to keep them in check.
 
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The use of the same standard PPE that should be used on any call (gloves, glasses) along with conscientious hand washing and unit cleaning should be sufficient. If the patient is exhibiting cold/flu symptoms and I'm riding the call, they get the mask, not me. If the need for O2 is indicated, then I'll use an NRB instead of the filter mask. That said, circumstances always vary and you should use your best judgement for your particular situation. Here's guidance from the CDC
 
Tincanfireman said:
If the need for O2 is indicated, then I'll use an NRB instead of the filter mask. That said, circumstances always vary and you should use your best judgement for your particular situation. Here's guidance from the CDC
Click to expand...

This becomes a tricky situation since the NRB does not offer any protection and actually the high liter flow leads to further spread. When using the NRB or a CPAP device on someone with the possibiity of a contagious respiratory infection, I suggest the providers wear the N95 mask. As well, the hospital should be notified and the patient requiring CPAP or a NRB must be put into a negative flow room. Also, any patient on a portable ventilator must have their exhalation port filtered to protect the providers and the inhalation port filtered to protect from contamination to the machine. This should be done anyway regardless of what the patient has.

These issues came up in the international disaster preparedness meetings after some presented the possible use of portable CPAP machines for respiratory support. It was decided and now published in the white papers that this was not the best idea unless the patient is in an isolation area or the CPAP device is a dual limb with a filtering system.
 
Good points that I never considered, Vent; thanks!
 
Tincanfireman said:
Good points that I never considered, Vent; thanks!
Click to expand...

Here's a couple links of interest. Although they say SARS, the information is applied to Influenza A in general.

I probably should not have assumed EightyDeuce to be paranoid since RTs are suspicious of everyone by nature but out of a healthy respect for what these micro-organisms can do regardless of what the popular name of the week is. However, it usually just takes some simple procedures like hand washing, a good mask and being mindful of how far particles can travel. Most of us have probably been exposed relatively close more times to nasty little bacteria and viruses just standing in line at a grocery check-out than we have in the back of an ambulance. However, that doesn't mean one should let their guard down while on duty. One should also do everything possible to prevent their patients from being exposed.

Study Identifies Risk Factors for Spread of Respiratory Infections in Hospitals
Category: Hospital News

Monday, March 19, 2007 at 8:07:20 PM

http://www.medindia.com/news/view_news_main.asp?x=19282

[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]WHO Interim Infection Control Guideline[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]for Health Care Facilities[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]​
http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/177DBE1C-4E3C-4C7E-B784-4124E6C600CF/0/InfectionControl.pdf

- 39 -
Transmission of SARS to HCWs in Toronto was associated with intubation, suctioning before
intubation, and manipulation of oxygen masks.[52, 53] Transmission to health care workers in
Hong Kong was associated with the use of a medication nebulizer.[54] Although the risk of
aerosol-generating procedures has not been evaluated for influenza, additional precautions for
HCWs performing aerosol-generating procedures on AI-infected patients appear warranted.[55]
PPE should cover the torso, arms, and hands as well as the eyes, nose, and mouth. A hair cover can be used optional.​


[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]2. Respiratory protection for aerosol-generating procedures​
​

During aerosol-generating procedures, there must be minimal particulate respirator face-seal
leakage to fully protect HCWs from exposure to small-particle respiratory aerosols. The
following respiratory protection options should be considered:​

• A particulate respirator at least as protective as a NIOSH-certified N95, EU FFP2 or
equivalent is the minimum level of respiratory protection required for HCWs performing
aerosol-generating procedures.​

• Appropriate procedures should be used to select a particulate respirator that fits well and a
user seal check should be performed each time a disposable particulate respirator is worn,
before entering the isolation room/area.
Avian Influenza, including Influenza A (H5N1), in Humans: WHO Interim Infection Control
Guidelines for Health Care Facilities (9 February 2006)​
[/FONT]
Click to expand...

AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care) SARS Guidance Document
http://www.aarc.org/resources/sars/SARS%20AARC%20Guidance%20Document.pdf​
 
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Worried about infection?

Check this out:http://myclyns.com/

Got two, one I carry with me and the other I keep in my personal kit. It's worth the price tag if it stops an infection.
 
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