Flu season burdens the healthcare industry heavily, increasing personnel absences, service disruptions, and mortality among vulnerable patients. A late 2023 study, Influenza immunization of healthcare personnel in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: Still a lot to do!, highlighting the critical need for effective infection control.
Challenges to Effectively Preventing Influenza
Despite strong endorsements of the flu vaccine, vaccination rates among HCPs remain low. For patient safety and cost management, protecting HCPs and preventing spread is crucial. With the ongoing challenge of multiple viral respiratory infections, proactive planning and protection are no longer optional. Such plans must include PPE solutions that safeguard everyone in healthcare environments.
Healthcare settings at particular risk include:
- Hospitals
- Urgent care centers
- Doctors' offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Home health services
HCP refers to all workers who might be exposed to patients and infectious materials. This group includes:
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Technicians
- Emergency medical service personnel
- Non-clinical staff like housekeepers and volunteers
A Community-Based Concern
Influenza is largely a community-based infection. Each year, influenza affects 5% to 20% of U.S. residents, with many seeking medical treatment. Flu complications result in 140,000–810,000 hospitalizations and 12,000–61,000 deaths in the United States each year. Healthcare-associated influenza occurs in various settings and is most prevalent when the virus circulates in the community.
Influenza mainly spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. These droplets can travel as far as 27 feet and be small enough to evade less stringent masks - as small as 5 microns or less. Indirect transmission can occur by touching contaminated surfaces and then the face. All respiratory secretions and bodily fluids from flu patients are potentially infectious, though the risk varies by strain.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the reality that healthcare personnel without symptoms can still spread infections. This insight has underscored the importance of source control as an added layer of protection. All HCPs, regardless of symptoms, should wear respiratory PPE. This measure is crucial in preventing transmission from those who may unknowingly carry the virus, protecting both colleagues and patients from potential exposure. By adopting this approach, healthcare settings can significantly reduce the risk of infection during flu season and beyond.
Given the multiple, variable conditions for flu transmission, HCPs need optimal protection, such as a quality respirator with a headcover that minimally covers the entire face, such as the MAXAIR CAPR DLC Cuff System. The MAXAIR CAPR (Controlled Air Purifying Respirator) system offers superior defense against airborne and surface contaminants. The system can be uniquely configured to meet specific needs with a range of protective elements. These elements include the CAPR helmet and optional components that allow a single system to meet all needs, depending on the virus or bacteria and its mode of transmission. These components include a wide array of headcover types, filters, and accessories. Designed to reduce risks to HCPs, their teammates, and their patients, they are easy to use, require no fit testing, and are comfortable for long shifts. These systems are ideal for use across many healthcare settings.
As flu season nears, ensuring effective infection control and PPE usage is vital. MAXAIR CAPR systems provide top-tier respiratory contact and fluid protection, helping healthcare environments manage flu season smoothly.
Stay protected and ready with MAXAIR for this flu season. Learn more about our healthcare systems.
