ACEP, HHS office offer guidance on flu symptoms

From Modern Healthcare:

The American College of Emergency Physicians—together with HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and its Emergency Care Coordination Center—have developed a set of guidelines to help the public determine if their flu-like symptoms merit an emergency-department visit.

According to the guidance, people who have chest pain, signs of dehydration, discoloration of the lips, or a breathing rate that is greater than 24 breaths per minute should visit an emergency department.

“Ultimately, you are probably the best judge of whether to seek emergency care,” said Angela Gardner, president of the 28,000-member organization, in a news release. “If you think you are having an emergency, come see us. We are specialists in diagnosing and treating all kinds of emergencies, including flu. Our doors are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.”

Telephone Nurse Triage

From MyWestTexas:

Since Midland Memorial Hospital’s telephone nurse triage system went live July 6, the service — which allows residents to speak with health care professionals about medical concerns they or their family members may be experiencing — has averaged four calls an hour.

Through Sept. 30, Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief  Nursing Officer Bob Dent said 4,700 calls have been received. “That’s what we planned for,” he said.

Out of those 4,700 calls, about 25 percent thought they should go the to emergency room. Out of that 25 percent, 65 percent were referred to another source of care, such as a clinic.

“We’ve seen a significant difference in the acuity levels of patients in the emergency department, which was the whole point,” Dent said, adding all of this information is preliminary. Setting up the telephone nurse triage system was meant to reduce the number of improper emergency room visits by 72 percent.

Shortage of flu vaccines leaves healthcare workers vulnerable

From the LA Times:

On the front lines of the H1N1 outbreak, tens of thousands of local doctors and nurses are scrambling to get vaccinated. One nurse says it’s like ‘asking us to fight a war without protection’.

Federal officials — who list healthcare workers among those at greatest risk for H1N1 flu — had promised California 6.2 million doses by now. But the state has received just 2.7 million doses due to manufacturing shortages, said Mike Sicilia, a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health. It is the same story nationwide, where only about 27 million of an expected 40 million doses are available.

Off Site Flu Clinic Open 24/7

From Kentucky.com:

PIKEVILLE — Those feeling flu-y in Eastern Kentucky now have a 24/7 clinic all their own, one of the first of its kind in the state.

To alleviate flu traffic in the emergency room, Pikeville Medical Center opened a regional flu clinic Monday. Doctors had seen dozens of patients by the close of business. The clinic offers complete testing, X-ray and lab services.

The building that houses the regional flu center, about five minutes from the main hospital on North Mayo Trail, was already used by the hospital for clinics. But a five-day renovation created a new registration area and six exam rooms, said Jerry Johnson, the hospital’s chief operating officer. Additional staff was hired to allow the flu clinic to operate around the clock.

Mercy Flight accuses police helicopters of stealing emergency calls for publicity

From Syracuse.com:

Syracuse, NY — Three rescue helicopters that serve Central New York are embroiled in an air war.

Mercy Flight Central, a private service with a helicopter on standby in Marcellus, claims Onondaga County’s Air One helicopter and the state police helicopter in the area are jumping calls — responding to medical emergencies before Mercy Flight has a chance to go — for emergency transports and putting patients in danger.

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and state police say they never jump calls and that the closest available helicopter should respond. The key, they say, is who can get the patient to an emergency room quickest.

Mercy Flight is suing the sheriff’s office and federal government, claiming the Federal Aviation Administration is not enforcing a law that gives medical helicopters first dibs.