Mayo staff will be wearing masks for patient safety

By Stuart Hedstrom  Staff Writer
    DOVER-FOXCROFT — As the leaves change color and colder temperatures arrive so does the flu season, which typically runs from Oct. 1  through the end of March.

    Mayo Regional Hospital recently adopted a policy to increase compliance with flu vaccination for its health care workers and help keep patients safe from the flu. Staff members who have not received an annual flu vaccination will now be required to wear a mask if they come within six feet of a patient.
    Christina Pratley, infection preventionist at Mayo Regional Hospital, said the changes have been made to the influenza policy for the 2013-14 flu season to protect patients from harm. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs and can cause mild to severe illness and even lead to death. The viruses are spread by droplets made when those with the flu cough, sneeze or talk, and the droplets can land in the mouths and noses of others nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. The flu can also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching one’s own mouth or nose.
    “We have recommended our health care workers get vaccinated, that’s for patients,” Pratley said as Mayo Regional Hospital policies geared toward patient safety are nothing new. “We at Mayo have talked over the ways to increase our vaccinations,” Pratley said, adding that the flu can be transferred from one person to another even before the first individual experiences any symptoms.
    She said the patient safety committee, made up of different departments, the hospital board of directors and community representation, looked at existing and potential guidelines and came up with a new policy — which has been reviewed by the various hospital committees and is supported by hospital staff. “Evidence shows one of the ways to increase vaccination rates is to implement a mask requirement for health care workers when they are not vaccinated and influenza is known to be in the area,” Pratley said.
    Surgical, or procedural, masks will be need to be worn when non-vaccinated health care workers come within six feet of patients. “It won’t be all the time, just when we know the flu is in the area,” Pratley said, as the masking timeframe will be from the first diagnosed influenza in the area until the end of the flu season. She said the hospital does offer its employees vaccinations for free as “we do everything we can to get everybody vaccinated.”
    “I think it is important for the public to know because they are going to see health care workers with their masks on,” she said. “Our department leaders will be monitoring their staff to make sure those who aren’t vaccinated are wearing their masks.” Pratley added that not everyone is able to receive a flu vaccination, such as those who have severe, life-threatening allergies and/or have had allergic reactions after a previous vaccination.
    “Staff is very attentive to what patients might think, so we help them with what to say to people,” she said. Among the responses to patient questions are that masks are being worn to protect them and keep them safe from possible exposure to influenza and the masks are a requirement for those who come within six feet of patients and have not received a flu vaccination.
    Mayo Regional Hospital serves a wide area in addition to the West Main Street campus, and Pratley said efforts have been made to include everyone possible where the hospital has patients.
    “There’s good evidence to show masking does decrease the influence risk between people,” Pratley said. The mask, which must be changed when moist, serves as barrier between droplets exiting one’s body and reaching another person. She said health care workers also utilize other practices to ensure a safe environment for all, such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette and not going to work if someone is too sick to do so.
    “There were 14 hospitals in Maine with a masking requirement, there are 16 this year including Mayo,” Pratley said. During the last flu season the vaccination rate at Mayo Regional Hospital was 78 percent, and the aim is to get the rate higher for 2013-14.