Influenza A cases are increasing significantly both locally and nationally as you can see from the charts below. We currently have circ 70 inpatients with a flu diagnosis.
Please stay vigilant to protect patients, colleagues, and yourself. We are encouraging dept heads and managers to carry out the Respiratory Risk Assessment which will support when to wear face masks /PPE for extra protection for both patients and colleagues.
Please also see the information for support and guidance.
1. PPE
- The Respiratory Risk assessment will help guide when you should wear masks https://intranet.mft.nhs.uk/documents/policies/3887 Appendix 3
- In communal areas, encourage symptomatic patients to wear FRSM whilst awaiting isolation, if this doesn’t compromise their condition.
- Perform hand hygiene before putting on and after removing PPE.
2. Stay Up to Date with Vaccination
- Annual influenza vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce illness severity and transmission.
- If you have not yet received your flu vaccine, please do so as soon as possible.
- Vaccination protects not only you but also our vulnerable populations.
3. Monitor and Report Symptoms
- If you develop respiratory symptoms, fever, or feel unwell, notify your line manager and follow the MFT absence reporting procedure.
- Please avoid working while sick to help reduce spread of infection.
4. Continue Infection Prevention Practices
- Encourage patients and visitors to follow respiratory etiquette, including tissues and excellent hand hygiene.
- Maintain environmental cleaning protocols and support good ventilation practices where possible, if mechanical ventilation is not an option open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
5. Patient Influenza swabs
- At ORC, please send a ‘Rapid Respiratory Virus Screen’ via the pneumatic pod system to 345 for a fast result turnaround
- At WTWA, please either send a ‘Rapid Respiratory Virus Screen’ to the laboratory via the pneumatic pod 2120 or perform a point of care test (POCT) for all ED patients.
- At NM, please perform a POCT for all ED patients or ask patient flow team to perform POCT for any symptomatic inpatient.
Your ongoing commitment to safety and infection prevention makes a significant difference. Thank you for your continued dedication and professionalism.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your line manager or the infection control team
Kind regards,
Kimberley
Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson
Interim Deputy Trust Chief Executive & Chief Nursing Officer
Visiting Professor Manchester Metropolitan University
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