Influenza A Update
A spike in Influenza A cases has created exceptional demand on the Health Sector across New Zealand, leading the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners to issue guidance to practices around triaging and separating out patients with respiratory symptoms. We are aware the Otago/Southland region has equally been impacted, with not only general practices but also urgent doctors and after-hours care services struggling to keep up with demand. We strongly urge you to follow the advice issued by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) issued late last week.
RNZCGP are asking practices to do two things.
1. Stream and triage respiratory patients
Phone first triage for anyone with respiratory symptoms, with a face-to-face appointment arranged when it is clinically needed.
• Separate potentially infectious patients from others. Strict red/green streaming can be modified to suit your premises, but the separation principle still applies.
• Where practice size allows, dedicate someone to triaging respiratory presentations. Triage should facilitate care, not act as a barrier; review your protocols and patient feedback as demand climbs.
• Prioritise acute care and keep flu vaccination sessions separated in time or space from unwell patients.
• Ventilate: open windows, use HEPA filtration or air conditioning where you have it, aiming for at least six air changes an hour.
• Keep PPE stocked and available. Medical masks, eye protection, gloves, and P2/N95 respirators as the minimum for staff potentially exposed to airborne infection. Read the guidance from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora infection-prevention-and-control: PPE
• Sessional cleaning is sufficient in the absence of obvious respiratory contamination; no stand-down period is needed for consulting rooms.
2. Reinforce the public message with your patients
• Stay home if you are unwell; rest and fluids; hand hygiene; cover coughs and sneezes.
• It is not too late to vaccinate - this season’s vaccine is a good match for the circulating strains.
• Point non-urgent patients to the right door: your practice, a pharmacist, urgent care, Health New Zealand’s online GP service, or Healthline on 0800 611 116. Keep 111 and EDs for the seriously unwell.
WellSouth will send out public health messaging to the community reminding of the availability of the flu vaccine and the importance of people staying home if they are unwell. Please continue to support this messaging in your practice.
You can find information about flu vaccinations on our website
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