Don't be alarmed if the next time you visit an emergency department, and you have a fever and a cough, you're asked to put on a mask. It's all part of Capital Health's expanded respiratory etiquette program in emergency department waiting areas in the region to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases.
- News release: Remember you could be asked to wear a mask
- Radio spot: You may be asked to wear a mask (MP3)
- Radio spot: 3 ways to stop the spread of germs (MP3)
(You'll need a music player or multimedia software, such as Windows Media Player, to listen to these radio spots)
Transmission of diseases in hospital settings, in particular, is recognized as a problem affecting the quality of patient care. Studies have shown that at least one third of all hospital infections are preventable. This is particularly relevant to emergency departments, as they are one of the gathering places for patients entering the facility.
"Respiratory etiquette is a simple term for an extremely important infection control practice," says Dr. Marcia Johnson, Deputy Medical Officer of Health for Capital Health. "If we could get residents to wash their hands, cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze, properly dispose of used tissues and wear a mask when requested, we could reduce the spread of many types of germs. These simple measures truly have substantial positive implications for the healthcare system overall."
Based on estimates, over any three-month period, there will be approximately 100,000 visits to Capital Health emergency departments in facilities throughout the region. Of these, 4% of patients will present with a cough, another 4% will present with fever. In addition, it is anticipated that approximately 2% of family and/or friends accompanying patients to the emergency department may have similar respiratory symptoms. This means that, out of 100,000 emergency department visits, up to 10,000 patients/visitors will present with symptoms of a respiratory infection (i.e. cough and fever).
It is for this reason that Capital Health is expanding its respiratory etiquette campaign to include asking individuals who are showing signs of having a respiratory illness (fever and a new cough) to wear a mask while waiting in the ER. Respiratory etiquette highlights the importance of covering up when you sneeze or cough, properly disposing of used tissues, cleaning hands after sneezing or coughing, and wearing a mask when asked.
Since the global outbreak of SARS and with the continuing threat of another pandemic of respiratory illness, most likely influenza, recommendations for infection control strategies have been re-invigorated. Both the Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta) and Health Canada have reemphasized similar strategies intended to decrease the spread of respiratory infections. Many health care facilities across Canada have adopted similar programs.
Your Health Online, September-October, 2005
Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
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