Guidelines for Managing Flu in Workplace Updated
Seasonal flu shots available at more than 30 locations
By Bryan Roth
Duke is ramping up efforts to fight the flu by offering free seasonal flu vaccinations and revising its work guidelines so faculty and staff with influenza-like illness do not return to work until they are fever-free for 24 hours.
Starting Sept. 28 through Nov. 3, the seasonal flu vaccine will be available for free for all faculty and staff at more than 30 locations on the academic and medical campuses, including the Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) clinic in the Red Zone in the basement of the Duke Clinic building. Faculty and staff must present a current DukeCard; no appointment is necessary.
Dr. George Jackson, director of EOHW, said the best defense from flu is protection: wash hands often with soap and water; avoid touching faces and contact with people who are sick. And get a seasonal flu shot. Many retail pharmacies are offing flu shots for only $24.99, but faculty and staff can save by getting a flu shot for free at Duke.
"There are lots of things people can do to keep themselves healthy – like not smoking, eating a reasonable diet, getting enough sleep and exercise on a regular basis," Jackson said. "These are positive steps to enhance overall health, which will help ward off the flu and decrease complications if you get it."
Jackson said the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the 2009 H1N1 (swine) flu. A separate vaccine is being developed for H1N1, but it won’t be available until late fall and then only in limited supply and based on certain criteria. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel are at the top of the list for the H1N1 vaccine.
Duke has joined with other health systems in North Carolina to revise its work guidelines for faculty and staff who experience flu-like symptoms.
As part of the guidelines, all faculty and staff – those with or without patient contact – must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine like acetaminophen and ibuprofen before they can return to work.
In addition to being fever-free, all faculty and staff experiencing flu-like symptoms (distinguished by a fever of 100 degrees or higher) must receive clearance from Employee Occupational Health and Wellness before returning to work:
- For faculty and staff who do not have patient contact, a new online form is available to request clearance. After submitting a Return to Work Assessment, both the staff member and supervisor will receive an e-mail regarding medical clearance to return to work.
- Faculty and staff who provide direct patient care and those without online access can contact EOHW by e-mail (eohwflu@mc.duke.edu) or by phone to receive clearance to return to work: main campus and Duke Hospital: 684-3136 opt. 2; Durham Regional: 470-5350 Duke Raleigh Hospital 954-3952; After hours: 684-8115, ask for EOHW Flu.