Flu/H1N1 Information

Seton Family of Hospitals Influenza A H1N1 Management Guidelines

Updated Flu Notes 10/6/09

The Dell Children’s ED is seeing patients that would do just as well with home care. We expect that grownups, too, will be unnecessarily inconvenienced by trips to the hospital as the virus moves into adult populations.

The CDC suggests that the following high-risk patients with ILI be seen by their primary care givers to see if they are candidates for treatment:

Those under two years of age, and over 65
Patients who are pregnant
Patients who have chronic pulmonary, cardiac or renal disease; any disease that affects the immune system; or who are taking medications that affect the immune system.

Patients with ILI should be referred to the ED if they are:

Experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath
More ill than expected with flu, for example, not taking oral liquids, lethargic, blue lips.

Prevention and Control Precautions for patients with respiratory illness, including Influenza and Influenza A H1N1, have been updated as a convenient, easy-to-consult table for care guidelines in all Seton facilities.

Guidelines were compiled from various authoritative sources:

Seton Medical Contacts

Questions about the guidelines may be addressed to:

Dr. Thomas Erlinger, Director of Epidemiology and Research, email, (512) 324-8930.

Dr. Sarmistha Hauger, Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control, Dell Children’s Medical Center, email, (512) 628-1800

Dr. Jack D. Bissett, Infectious Diseases, Austin Infectious Disease Consultants, email, (512) 459-0301.

Dr. Jim Lindsey, SVP, Chief Medical Officer, Executive Director AMEP, email, (512) 324-1906.

Dr. John Hellerstedt, VPMA, Chief Medical Officer, Dell Children’s, email, (512) 324-0104.