ETMC Athens readies for H1N1 impact

Hospital confers regularly with local, state officials

Not even two weeks into the school year, at least seven Murchison ISD students have been diagnosed with type A influenza – though whether they suffer from the seasonal variety of influenza or the much-talked-about novel H1N1 strain is unknown.

Whichever it is, says Murchison ISD School Nurse Jessica Stephenson, RN, there’s no difference in the treatment. Both H1N1 (which has erroneously been referred to as swine flu) and the seasonal variety of influenza are treated with the same antivirals and good, old-fashioned home remedies like rest and plenty of fluid. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control, most people who have been diagnosed with novel H1N1 have recovered without needing medical treatment.

For more on H1N1 visit our swine flu links page

 According to Vicki McAlister, the public health preparedness coordinator for Henderson County, as of Thursday, no other school districts had reported any influenza cases among their students.

ETMC Athens prepares for H1N1
The cases at Murchison ISD only sharpen the resolve of members of the Emergency Management Task Force at ETMC Athens. Members of that committee have been meeting alongside city, county and state officials for weeks to prepare for the possibility of a surge of flu patients in coming months.

 A recent report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology advises public health officials that it is “plausible” 20 to 40 percent of the U.S. population could contract H1N1 this fall and winter. Even so, there’s no cause for panic, said Debbie Gardiner, director of risk management and performance improvement at ETMC Athens.

“H1N1 is treated just like any other flu,” she said, “and the majority of people who get it will recover without complications.”

High-risk groups
Gardiner and other healthcare workers do point out, however, that pregnant women and children younger than five years old – especially children under 2 – are more at risk for health complications related to the H1N1 flu strain. Therefore, pregnant women and mothers of young children should speak to their physicians about the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available, most likely sometime in mid-October, along with individuals who are chronically ill or have compromised immune systems.

Everyone, health officials are urging, should be vaccinated for the seasonal flu as soon as possible. Some pharmacies and clinics already have seasonal influenza vaccines available.

Steve Lowe, director of engineering at ETMC Athens and head of the hospital’s emergency management task force, said though hospital staff and administrators are hoping for the best, they’re preparing for the worst.

ETMC Athens is a 117-bed facility, but in the event of an influx of patients suffering complications from the flu (typically dehydration), the emergency management team is preparing to be able to convert private rooms into semi-private rooms to expand to at least 175 rooms, if not more.

Planning also includes the best method of keeping flu patients separate from the general population in the hospital to prevent spreading the influenza virus internally. In August, Gardiner and others distributed posters to schools and daycares throughout Henderson County, reminding everyone how important it is to wash hands frequently and sneeze or cough into a sleeve.

In fact, good hand hygiene is the first line of defense against the spread of any type of virus. State and schools to partner Once the H1N1 vaccine does become available, starting in October, it is likely the state will partner with schools to inoculate children. “We are working closely with school districts to prepare for the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine,” said McAlister, the county’s public health preparedness coordinator. “It is all voluntary. There is no mandatory vaccine.

 So it will be up to the parents to decide whether their children receive the vaccine or not.” Though clinical trials are still under way, it appears the H1N1 vaccination will be administered in two doses, 21 to 28 days apart. “The most important message we can deliver right now,” said McAlister, “is prevention.”