Swine influenza A (H1N1) and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers
Statement of the Infectious Diseases Society of Washington (IDSW) on Swine Influenza A (H1N1) and Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers
May 7, 2009
The recent emergence of a novel Influenza A (H1N1) strain, also called Swine Flu, has demonstrated ongoing person-to-person transmission across Mexico, the United States and Canada in April, 2009. As with other strains of influenza A, health care workers are expected to use personal protective equipment and practices in healthcare settings to protect themselves when caring for people with influenza-like illnesses.
Based on available information about this new virus, the Infectious Disease Society of Washington endorses the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) as outlined on April 29, 2009, emphasizing the use of techniques to interrupt virus transmission via respiratory droplets. Should new information about the transmissibility and/or virulence of this virus become available in the future, these recommendations should be reconsidered and revised as necessary.
The WHO recommendations emphasize standard and droplet precautions with the use of a surgical mask and eye protection to prevent exposure to the mouth, nose and conjunctiva as well as optimal adherence to hand hygiene and spatial distancing of patients with fever and cough. Additional protection, such as using N95 respirator or PAPR should be used during aerosol generating procedures such as bronchoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or open suctioning of respiratory tract.
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