Depending on your situation in life we look at illness in
many different ways. As an irritant -
your spouse or significant other or your children ALWAYS get sick when you
have the least time to deal with their whining shenanigans. As an impediment - you do not have the time nor the patience to
feel under the weather due to work or family commitments. As an inconvenience - your colleagues insist
upon coming to work or your friends or family insist on coming for a visit
without the forethought that they may spread their illness to you or your
family.
many different ways. As an irritant -
your spouse or significant other or your children ALWAYS get sick when you
have the least time to deal with their whining shenanigans. As an impediment - you do not have the time nor the patience to
feel under the weather due to work or family commitments. As an inconvenience - your colleagues insist
upon coming to work or your friends or family insist on coming for a visit
without the forethought that they may spread their illness to you or your
family.
In my blog from two weeks ago "Cleaning, Hand Hygiene & Vaccination a few of my Interventions for Flu Season" I have
already captured the key tips (Interventions) for limiting the spread of the
flu, but after reading an article recently published in AJIC by Mitchell et al
titled "Understanding the burden of influenza infection among adults in Canadian hospitals: A comparison of the 2009-2010 pandemic season with the prepandemic and postpandemic seasons", I realized that the impact to me,
my family, my colleagues or the burden of influenza on our healthcare system
was not touched upon and is something of great importance and worthy of
consideration.
already captured the key tips (Interventions) for limiting the spread of the
flu, but after reading an article recently published in AJIC by Mitchell et al
titled "Understanding the burden of influenza infection among adults in Canadian hospitals: A comparison of the 2009-2010 pandemic season with the prepandemic and postpandemic seasons", I realized that the impact to me,
my family, my colleagues or the burden of influenza on our healthcare system
was not touched upon and is something of great importance and worthy of
consideration.
The truth of the matter is that Influenza infections are
costly. They cause substantial morbidity
and mortality and are strain on every country's healthcare resources. However, the impact or burden to our healthcare system varies greatly year to
year depending on the Influenza strains in circulation. The study reviewed lab-confirmed inpatient
characteristics, treatment and outcomes of the pandemic season (2009-2010) with
the prepandemic (2006-2007 & 2008-2009) and postpandemic (2010-2011)
seasons. Of the 2868 cases identified,
629 cases were from the prepandemic season, 1132 cases from the pandemic season
and 1107 cases from the postpandemic season. Of interest was the fact that the healthcare-associated influenza cases
was lower during the pandemic than the pre and post pandemic seasons. Also of interest was the fact that the
Healthcare-associated Influenza cases was higher in acute care facilities than
long term care facilities during the pandemic season as compared with pre and
post pandemic seasons.
costly. They cause substantial morbidity
and mortality and are strain on every country's healthcare resources. However, the impact or burden to our healthcare system varies greatly year to
year depending on the Influenza strains in circulation. The study reviewed lab-confirmed inpatient
characteristics, treatment and outcomes of the pandemic season (2009-2010) with
the prepandemic (2006-2007 & 2008-2009) and postpandemic (2010-2011)
seasons. Of the 2868 cases identified,
629 cases were from the prepandemic season, 1132 cases from the pandemic season
and 1107 cases from the postpandemic season. Of interest was the fact that the healthcare-associated influenza cases
was lower during the pandemic than the pre and post pandemic seasons. Also of interest was the fact that the
Healthcare-associated Influenza cases was higher in acute care facilities than
long term care facilities during the pandemic season as compared with pre and
post pandemic seasons.
With respect to patient characteristics, during the
pandemic season the median age of those inflicted during the pandemic season
was significantly lower than the pre and post pandemic season (hence the lower
infection rates seen in LTC's!).
Similarly, during the pandemic season inpatients were more apt to have
pulmonary disease whereas in the postpandemic season they were more likely to
have chronic heart and kidney disease.
Possibly as expected, more severe outcomes were reported during the
pandemic season as vaccination rates were lower.
pandemic season the median age of those inflicted during the pandemic season
was significantly lower than the pre and post pandemic season (hence the lower
infection rates seen in LTC's!).
Similarly, during the pandemic season inpatients were more apt to have
pulmonary disease whereas in the postpandemic season they were more likely to
have chronic heart and kidney disease.
Possibly as expected, more severe outcomes were reported during the
pandemic season as vaccination rates were lower.
Of particular interest was the impact of infection
prevention and control practices during the pandemic season. With knowledge that vaccines were not readily
available, ensuring effective interventions were in place (hand hygiene,
cleaning and disinfection, isolation etc) likely helps limit
healthcare-associated transmission. If
this is true, then the ugly truth is that the increase of healthcare-associated
infections in the postpandemic season could be directly related to a lapse and
complacency around in infection prevention practices.
prevention and control practices during the pandemic season. With knowledge that vaccines were not readily
available, ensuring effective interventions were in place (hand hygiene,
cleaning and disinfection, isolation etc) likely helps limit
healthcare-associated transmission. If
this is true, then the ugly truth is that the increase of healthcare-associated
infections in the postpandemic season could be directly related to a lapse and
complacency around in infection prevention practices.
We cannot underestimate the flu and its significant
impact on the resources needed to effectively limit its spread. Being prepared to combat Influenza should not
be relegated as a response to an outbreak or a pandemic. The threat of infection and the threat of
transmission is an ongoing annual concern and should be an automatic response
on a daily basis during Flu Season.
Influenza is an enveloped, easy to kill virus. Ensuring that environmental surfaces and
patient care equipment are cleaned and disinfected daily (and of course after
each patient use!) will go a long way to minimizing transmission from
environmental surfaces. Of course,
getting vaccinated and washing your hands helps too!
impact on the resources needed to effectively limit its spread. Being prepared to combat Influenza should not
be relegated as a response to an outbreak or a pandemic. The threat of infection and the threat of
transmission is an ongoing annual concern and should be an automatic response
on a daily basis during Flu Season.
Influenza is an enveloped, easy to kill virus. Ensuring that environmental surfaces and
patient care equipment are cleaned and disinfected daily (and of course after
each patient use!) will go a long way to minimizing transmission from
environmental surfaces. Of course,
getting vaccinated and washing your hands helps too!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
