A brief update on the swine influenza.

DHS now has a webpage dedicated to swine flu on opening www.health.vic.gov.au it is the first item under What’s New or the direct link is http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/swine-influenza

There is information available for both the general public and health professionals.

RACGP also has information available on their website http://www.racgp.org.au about swine influenza which will be updated on a daily basis. The pandemic planning kit is available on the RACGP website, though all planning is important, of major importance is Module 4 –Triage. General practice also needs to be promoting cough etiquette and hand hygiene as two of the most important ways to stop the spread of viral illnesses.

I would also like to clarify the issue of who bears the cost of PPE in general practice. General Practice should be treating any suspected cases of swine influenza as they would any other infectious disease, so if a suspected case comes into a practice the practice bears the cost of PPE (e.g. as they would for measles). Given the airport security surrounding potential cases at the present time general practice is unlikely to see suspected cases. DHS is looking at who will bear the cost of PPE should this situation change and will communicate this information as soon as it is available.

The RACGP standard covering this is Criterion 5.3.4 - Infection control
“Our practice manages the risk of cross infection in accordance with the current edition of the RACGP Sterilisation/disinfection guidelines for general practice.”

General practice should also be ensuring that all staff including doctors, nurses, health professional and administrative staff receive their annual influenza vaccine.