H1N1 Flu Resources
Texas Responds to H1N1 Flu Outbreak
Texas health authorities have joined the international effort to respond aggressively to the H1N1 Influenza A (swine flu) outbreak. Visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site, www.texasflu.org, for the latest updates on Texas cases. For the most current and accurate information, health care providers are encouraged to visit the following Web sites:
The Texas Hospital Association is in regular contact with the TDSHS Multi-agency Coordinating Council, and is participating in briefing calls to stay informed of planning and response activities. Hospital representatives should contact their local health department for direction, guidance and resource requests, such as personal protective equipment, antiviral medications and other identified needs. THA recommends that hospitals document any unusual unreimbursed expenses associated with influenza management. In addition, hospital representatives should:
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Other Resources
- Nov. 10: Due to manufacturing delays, the H1N1 vaccine is arriving in lower-than-projected quantities. Texas' supply goes to providers to who serve priority groups.
- Oct. 27: The Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization allowing certain patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected H1N1 flu to receive an investigational antiviral drug. The drug, Peramivir IV, is authorized only for hospitalized adults and children for whom therapy with an intravenous drug is clinically appropriate. See the FDA announcement for more details.\
- Oct. 24: President Barack Obama has declared a national emergency in response to the H1N1 flu pandemic. This action allows the Health and Human Services Secretary to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program provisions that may prevent health care providers from fully implementing their disaster operations plans.
- Oct. 23: TDSHS asks Texas hospitals to respond re: availability of N95 respirators by Monday, Oct. 26. View details
- Oct. 14: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration has announced that it will apply the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use. OSHA will not cite hospitals that have made a good faith effort to acquire N95 masks, but have been unable to access supplies. Also see: Q&A Regarding Respiratory Protection for Preventing 2009 H1N1 Influenza Among Healthcare Personnel
- Oct. 1: Surgical masks appear to be no worse than, and nearly as effective as N95 respirators in preventing influenza in health care workers, according to a study released early online today by JAMA.
- Sept. 25: The Missouri Hospital Association’s translation site, www.healthtranslations.com, has added four of the CDC’s H1N1 documents in eight different languages. The site has open access and MHA received instructions and permission from CDC to translate these documents. Hospitals are welcome to use these documents, courtesy of MHA. Available languages include: Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese (simple), Farsi, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
- Sept 25: Updated Pediatric Antiviral Dosing Syringe and Compounding Information for 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu
- Sept. 15:
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- FAQs on Medicare Fee-for-Service Billing for H1N1
- Revised: Medicare Billing Instructions for the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Vaccine
- Sept. 9:
- Sept. 1: Track H1N1 Influenza Cases on HealthMap
- Aug. 27: CMS Issues Additional FAQs on Pandemic Influenza
- Aug. 24: CMS Issues CMS Memorandum re: EMTALA Requirements and Fact Sheet
- A presentation by Jan E. Patterson, M.D., shared via conference call with infection control practitioners.