Swine flu duties

[Vee2]

At our unit, if someone gets swine flu, they're permanently confined to their rooms until they're given the all clear. This can be for a couple of weeks or more.

So the person is given a flu buddy, these people have to take meals to the infected person. They're other people from the unit. These buddies are the only ones allowed contact with the infected person.

The flu buddies are given a mask, some gloves and a plastic gown thing for when they take meals round etc.

Is this what other units are doing about it? It doesn't seem right to force people to risk their health like this, without even giving them some sort of jab or whatever.

 

[mememe]

At our unit, if someone gets swine flu, they're permanently confined to their rooms until they're given the all clear. This can be for a couple of weeks or more.

So the person is given a flu buddy, these people have to take meals to the infected person. They're other people from the unit. These buddies are the only ones allowed contact with the infected person.

The flu buddies are given a mask, some gloves and a plastic gown thing for when they take meals round etc.

Is this what other units are doing about it? It doesn't seem right to force people to risk their health like this, without even giving them some sort of jab or whatever.

This is a governmental directive, take it up with them. If other units are not doing it then that is down to local policy and the fact they are not following the guidlines issued by the DOH.
You could just let your mate/buddy starve....teamwork, just love it.

 

[Vee2]

I've not been dicked for it myself, so no probs anyway, plus I don't mind getting sick. Have been OOH and away from UK news for a while, was just wondering if this was standard and it seems it is.

Isn't there a vaccine for it yet?

 

[Twiggles]

Not sure on status of vaccine, still under trial or ready for general release? Even if it's ready I'm guessing that the elderly and very young will be given priority. If you're in good health and out of the high risk age range then even if you contract it you are not at the much risk of a visit from the reaper.

Personally I'd have no problem being someones flu buddy. It's not just about taking them food and meds, it's also being an urgent point of contact in the off-chance they do take a turn for the worse. If they do get that bad you could be a vital link in getting them the proper medical aid.

There's also the whole team aspect, aren't we all supposed to look out for one another etc? Is it really such a hardship in your busy schedule to take a bit of time to check in on someone?

 

[penfold93]

The Vaccine has been released and the military will be getting a supply, however, as with our civillian counterparts everyones role will be risk assessed and those at greatest risk will be jabbed first, medical staff being near the top.

The flu buddy system is used in plenty of places and performed correctly ie using PPE and practicing good hand hygiene will mean there is a very very small risk.

 

[Sniffer]

Ah Pen, Just the man......

What is your opinion on the swine flu vaccine as a CDC professional, and I guess the million dollar question is are you going to be rolling your sleeve up for it? Dont answer if you dont want to!

Personally I am a wee bit dubious about having it. Normally vaccines/pharmacuticals are subject to lengthy trials and tests etc etc. However this one seems to have hit the shelves fairly quickly.

 

[fatboy11]

If the medics confine someone sick in quarters, do they not have some kind of obligation to ensure that the patient is fed??? just a thought!!!

 

[Teh Wal]

... and performed correctly ie using PPE and practicing good hand hygiene will mean there is a very very small risk.

So, just like sex then? Or is that just me? DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[Martin Blank]

Medics around here don't do alot out of hours while I was on guard last year one of the lineys cracked his sweed open during nights.
After a trip to casualty for stitches he was sent back to unit with suspected concussion, the medics wouldn't do anything with him got the guards to keep an eye on him until his girlfriend came to pick him up and take him home.

 

[Sniffer]

If the medics confine someone sick in quarters, do they not have some kind of obligation to ensure that the patient is fed??? just a thought!!!

Not at all. Not in the UK anyway. Pretty much the same as a civvy GP won't send his staff to make sure his patients are eating.

However liaison with the mess staff and the allocation of a flu buddy should suffice.

 

[wgaf]

Not at all. Not in the UK anyway. Pretty much the same as a civvy GP won't send his staff to make sure his patients are eating.

However liaison with the mess staff and the allocation of a flu buddy should suffice.

Difference is we're not civilians and we shouldn't be treated or behave as such.

 

[Mightierthan]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sniffer
Not at all. Not in the UK anyway. Pretty much the same as a civvy GP won't send his staff to make sure his patients are eating.

However liaison with the mess staff and the allocation of a flu buddy should suffice.

Difference is we're not civilians and we shouldn't be treated or behave as such.

I don't really think that medics should be responsible for feeding people who are SIQ. If people are incapable, through illness, for feeding themselves then they should be admitted to a med centre or hospital. Do you really think medics should run a meals on wheels service to people in the block and quarters? How many extra medics would be required to serve X amount of people 3 meals per day over what could be widespread locations? DT_Xtremez_35:

 

[Sniffer]

Exactly.

Whilst it would be wonderful to have enough medics to cover tasks like this unfortunately, like every other Section there just simply isn't enough bums on seats.

To paint the picture, rightly or wrongly after 18:30 the Medical Centre's only role is to cover the airfield if there is flying. After this time patients are refered to the NHS Primary Care Trust or 999 in cases of emergency

At this station there are 4 Medics to cover the flying duty and at present they are flying until 23: 00 which means the Medic's duty starts at 07.15 when they open the Med Centre and they are there until flying finishes. Depending upon manning they may or may not get an afternoon off to compensate for having to do 2 x 17 hour days as well as their normal 8: 00 to 17: 00 non duty days.

So as you can see there really is not enough time to ensure people with the flu are being fed.

 

[penfold93]

If the medics confine someone sick in quarters, do they not have some kind of obligation to ensure that the patient is fed??? just a thought!!!

Only if they are in the Med centre and dont have a flu buddy, if someone is SIQ for wahtever reason then someone should help out we are all a team after all. But as a last resort then the duty medic or a.n. other would get them food

Medics around here don't do alot out of hours while I was on guard last year one of the lineys cracked his sweed open during nights.
After a trip to casualty for stitches he was sent back to unit with suspected concussion, the medics wouldn't do anything with him got the guards to keep an eye on him until his girlfriend came to pick him up and take him home.

Nothing to do with the topic wrt Swine flu as Sniffer has said the hospital/Gp's dont send staff to make you a cup of tea if you go home so neither does the Med Centre

 

[penfold93]

Ah Pen, Just the man......

What is your opinion on the swine flu vaccine as a CDC professional, and I guess the million dollar question is are you going to be rolling your sleeve up for it? Dont answer if you dont want to!

Personally I am a wee bit dubious about having it. Normally vaccines/pharmacuticals are subject to lengthy trials and tests etc etc. However this one seems to have hit the shelves fairly quickly.

Difference is we're not civilians and we shouldn't be treated or behave as such.

I am preparing a presentation on the subject and will post it here next week for anyone interested the HPA Website provides some up to date info.

Personally, I will be rolling my sleve up and having the jab.

wgaf as has been pointed out unless you are under the direct care of the medical centre then they dont need to come round and mop your brow.

On occasions whren there have been outbreaks of communicable disease then a number of individuals could be looked after in a block then yes medical staff input would be utilised.

Lets face it there must be quite a few sickies each day and if a medic have to visit everyone to fluff pillows or pour them a drink then they would lose a member of staff.

 

[Sniffer]

Also to just add, given the manning in this med centre, and many others do you really think it would be a good idea to send the few medics we have, to treat someone with swine flu. Potentially exposing them?

The current protocol is that if a patient thinks they have swine flu, they are diognosed over the telephone to reduce the risk of spread. They are told not to even come to the Medical Centre.

Whilst it may seem that the attitude is "so its OK for the flu buddy to get Swine Flu?" unfortunately that is the risk that we are having to take as sporadic cases across the Unit will have much less impact than the medical centre having to permanently close its doors because it has no staff due to illness.

 

[Stevienics]

Whilst it may seem that the attitude is "so its OK for the flu buddy to get Swine Flu?" unfortunately that is the risk that we are having to take as sporadic cases across the Unit will have much less impact than the medical centre having to permanently close its doors because it has no staff due to illness.

...agreed. But is it a risk that the "buddy" is obliged to take? Even Porton Down eventually relied only on volunteers. VERY dodgy legal ground I would assert.

 

[Sniffer]

As far as I'm aware no one is having their arm forced up their back to be a flu buddy. Not saying I'm a saint but if one of my collegues was genuinely ill then sure, I'd collect their prescription, collect their food from the mess and drop it at their door, or run and get them a pint of milk from the Spar.

No one is asking the flu buddy to even have contact with the patient. Knock on the door, leave food and walk away. Job done.

 

[penfold93]

...agreed. But is it a risk that the "buddy" is obliged to take? Even Porton Down eventually relied only on volunteers. VERY dodgy legal ground I would assert.

Not in the slightest, the PPE, handwashing is more than enough protection to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, its idiots that turn up to work that are ill 'as they are manning up' are the ones that will spread the infection.

As sniffer has said and I have said we are all part of the team and helping out a colleague by taking some food around and getting them some bits from the Gadaffi is not real hard work.

As to Porton Down these were experiments on troops not asking them to drop off some chips from the mess.

It is such a negative scaremongering attitude that will stop people volunteering as'they read it on Egoat so it must be true' if anyone has any doubts or questions wrt being a flu buddy or the flu vaccine then PM me and I will give you my work contact details and the up to date Gen

 

[Stevienics]

There is quite a substantial difference between the issue of PPE in general use against a risk of contraction and the wilful exposure of one human being without the virus, to another who most definitely has it, in one form or another.

You can play the "we're all mates here" card all you like - you may even wish to call it scaremongering to suggest that there is something to worry about in this curious policy (and conradict the gentleman above who conceded that there was a risk and they were willing to acccept it), but please lets dispense with the poor parallels. I raised porton down as it was a voluntary scheme where the particpants knew of the health risks - not for you to cheapen with facetious comments.

just as an aside, I look forward eagerly to see how this brilliant plan will be executed in a multi-bed training environment.