Healthcare Career Blog, Physician Blogs

2009 H1N1 Influenza Update

Author Healthcare Career Blogger | 04.05.2009 | Category 2009 H1N1 influenza, CRNA, Family Medicine, Healthcare Career Blog, Hospitals, Locum Tenens, Physicians, diseases, infectious diseases

Candidate Direct urges our clients and friends to closely monitor the evolving 2009 H1N1 influenza or “Swine Flu” outbreak in the United States. For those in the medical field, it is particularly important to stay informed. The following web sites offer Candidate Direct physicians and locum tenens additional updated information.

• http://www.hhs.gov/ (Federal HHS website for general information on H1N1)
• http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html (International information from the WHO directly related to the swine flu)
• http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ (Federal Centers for Disease Control updates regarding swine flu)
• http://www.medworm.com/rss/ (Medical Newsfeed for H1N1 news from various media outlets)
• http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ (Centers for Disease Control international and national travel advisories)

The CDC, infectious disease specialists and a multitude of health agencies are collecting data, monitoring and reporting on the latest developments with the H1N1 virus. As of today, they are urging healthcare professionals and the population at large to be prudent, but not to panic. Family medicine and emergency medicine physicians have been inundated with inquiries and visits from patients who are concerned about symptoms and learning how to avoid infection. Every inquiry must be evaluated on a case by case basis, and at this point one of the most important steps that anyone can take is to stay on top of the news. It is also imperative to follow these guidelines to avoid infection:

• Physicians and Locum Tenens should monitor the constantly changing flu event by visiting the web sites listed above and/or watching the news
• It goes without saying that medical professionals must follow the strictest hygiene practices while on duty. Just a reminder to also take personal responsibility for hygiene on your own time. Avoid unnecessary contact with obviously ill people, thoroughly covering your mouth and nose with disposable tissues or the inside of your elbow when sneezing or coughing and dispose of the tissue properly. Thorough and frequent hand washing is also key.
• Physicians and Locum Tenens should carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer and use it frequently through out the day.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms, contact your personal physician as soon as possible.