Are You Fully Stocked for Flu Season? The CDC predicts that the current flu season will continue on for some time and worsen in many locations before coming to an end. If an outbreak occurred in your building today, would you have everything you need to fight back? We encourage you to examine the following information, which was created based on CDC recommendations, to ensure you're not caught empty-handed when illness strikes.

CDC Recommendation1 "Wear a facemask (e.g., surgical or procedure mask) upon entering the resident's room. Remove the facemask when leaving the resident's room and dispose of the facemask in a waste container. If resident movement or transport is necessary, have the resident wear a facemask if possible." ProMed Product Solutions Our N95 particulate respirators meet CDC guidelines for fluid resistance and TB exposure control and provide respiratory protection for your entire staff. We also offer basic procedure masks to protect your residents, staff and visitors.

CDC Recommendation1 "Perform hand hygiene before and after touching the resident, after touching the resident's environment or after touching the resident's respiratory secretions, whether or not gloves are worn. Gloves do not replace the need for performing hand hygiene." ProMed Product Solutions GelRite Instant Hand Sanitizer contains 65 percent ethyl alcohol and kills 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria, making it the perfect choice for healthcare use. DermaKleen is a soft antimicrobial hand cleanser. It kills bacteria on contact while softening, conditioning and moisturizing skin.

CDC Recommendation1 "Wear gloves if hand contact with respiratory secretions or potentially contaminated surfaces is anticipated. ... [Change] gloves and gowns after each resident encounter and performing hand hygiene." ProMed Product Solutions We offer gloves in nitrile, stretch synthetic, synthetic, latex and powder-free poly formulations. Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipes meet CDC, OSHA and CMS Tag F441 guidelines for disinfection of contaminated surfaces. They are effective against Influenza A, the most prominent strain this year, among numerous other microorganisms. The wipes are also available in bleach and alcohol-free formulas.

CDC Recommendation1 "Wear a gown if soiling of clothes with a resident's respiratory secretions is anticipated." ProMed Product Solution Our isolation gowns feature elastic cuffs for a more secure fit under gloves. They're made from high-quality spunbound polypropylene.

CDC Recommendation1 "Administer the current season's influenza vaccine to unvaccinated residents and healthcare personnel as per current vaccination recommendations." ProMed Product Solution ProMed's safety syringes are ideal for flu vaccines and medication delivery.

ProMed also stocks products to help ill residents manage their flu symptoms, including facial tissue, electrolyte drinks and disposable bedside bags. Professional Medical has everything you need to develop a comprehensive flu prevention and management strategy. To learn more, contact your territory manager, give us a call at 800.648.5190 or visit us online at www.promedsupply.com. To read the CDC's complete guidance, click the link above. Reference 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim Guidance for Influenza Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/ltc-facility-guidance.htm. Accessed January 22, 2013.

Study: Tired Nurses More Likely to Regret Clinical Decisions A new study has found that tired nurses are more likely to regret decisions they make on the job. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Nursing and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, involved quizzing more than 600 critical care nurses about their sleep routines, clinical decision-making and levels of fatigue and daytime sleepiness. The researchers found that nurses who reported fatigue, sleep loss, daytime sleepiness and insufficient recovery between shifts were more likely to report "decision regret," which happens when an expected or hoped-for clinical outcome doesn't happen, leading nurses to doubt their choices. To learn more, click here.

These N95 particular respirators meet CDC guidelines for fluid resistance and TB exposure control. They provide respiratory protection for your entire staff, including doctors, nurses and maintenance personnel. Additional Features: NIOSH N95 approved particulate respirator State-of-the-art filtration media provides comfortable breathing Electrostatically charged to enhance filtration Durable double-shell construction resists crushing and provides durability in hot, humid conditions Soft, comfortable outer layer and staple-free construction

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