H1N1 Information for UCH Employees

Links

Click a link below to go to that portion of the page.


 Employee Illness with Influenza Symptoms
(what to do depending on symptoms)
Employee Return to Work Procedures
(after absence with influenze symptoms)
PTO, EIP, FMLA and Absenteeism Guidelines for 2009 Influenza Season Seasonal Flu Vaccine: Who is Eligible to be Vaccinated at UCH?
   

 

Documents

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Schedule for UCH Employees

(Note: vaccinations scheduled for October 14, 15, and 16 in the AIP have been cancelled.)

Influenza - Just the Facts (Michelle Barron, MD, medical director, Infection Control)
Dr. Barron's document provides a solid overview of the following:

  • Epidemiology of influenza
  • Which populations are at risk and who should be tested
  • Who should be treated
  • What to treat with
  • Current prevention strategies

UCH will publish more information to this page as it becomes available.

 Employee Illness With Influenza Symptoms
 

Symptoms of influenza are:

  • Fever of 38 degrees C or 100.5 degrees F and higher
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Nasal congestion
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Chills
  • Myalgias (muscle pain)
  • Arthralgias (joint pain)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

On-duty employees with influenza symptoms of a fever of 38 degrees C or 100.5 F and higher with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea are to immediately put on a yellow or blue surgical mask, leave work and go home. Employees should not be sent to Employee Health as they may infect others in the process.

Employees who are afebrile and have no G/I symptoms may continue to work if they wear a mask until symptoms resolve.

Employee Health is to be notified of all employees reporting influenza symptoms. Complete the Flu Reporting Form and email to UCH-Employee Health Flu Reporting. The form can be found on the HUB under the FLU link and employee tab.  

Employees calling in ill or sent home with influenza symptoms are to remain home and not return until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of anti-pyretic medication (aspirin, ibuprophen, Tylenol) having had no nausea, vomiting or diarrhea for the same 24 hour period. 

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 Employee Return to Work Procedures (after absence with influenza symptoms)
  • Employees may return when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of anti-pyretic medication (aspirin, ibuprophen, Tylenol) and had no nausea, vomiting or diarrhea for same 24 hour period.
  • Employees who have been absent with influenza like symptoms must be assessed by Employee Health or designee for return to work before reporting to their department. Employees of UCH clinics located off Anschutz Campus can be returned to work by their Charge RNs.
  • Returning employees are not required to bring a note from their medical provider, UNLESS a culture for Influenza A &B documents a negative result.
  • Employees returning to work will wear a mask for 2 shifts or 2 days or until any residual cough is resolved due to the potential of continued viral shedding.

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 PTO, EIP, FMLA and Absenteeism Guidelines for 2009 Influenza Season

If an employee is absent from work or must leave work due to influenza symptoms, the following additional guidelines will be in effect:

  • For employees who would have applied for either Medical or Family Leave for illnesses related to influenza, the approval process will be waived.  The Medical and Family Leave policies will continue to remain in effect as if the Leave had been approved.
  • Unscheduled absences resulting from influenza symptoms will not be counted toward a UCH or department attendance policy for excessive absenteeism.
  • Employees will be required to use their accrued benefit hours (PTO and EIP) for absences related to influenza symptoms.  If they exhaust their accrued hours they will be permitted to take Leave without Pay.

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 Seasonal Flu Vaccine: Who is Eligible to be Vaccinated at UCH?

All UCH employees are eligible to receive a seasonal flu vaccination. Please refer to the HUB for the schedule of dates, times, and locations for the seasonal flu clinics. Also eligible to receive a flu vaccination are:

  • UCD employees who work in one of the UCH buildings may receive a flu vaccination from one of the scheduled seasonal flu clinics or Employee Health Clinics ( AOP- SW side of the 5th floor or Leprino building, Suite 783)
  • Interns, Residents, and Clinical Faculty providing care to UCH patients at one of the UCH locations may receive a flu vaccination from one of the scheduled seasonal flu clinics or the Employee Health Clinics ( AOP- SW side of the 5th floor or Leprino building, Suite 783)
  • Students who are in a clinical rotation at UCH or Clinics
  • UCH Volunteers
  • Contract staff who work at UCH

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