Alas, this virus appears to be contagious before symptoms appear, so it is quite possible to admit a "healthy" person, already be shedding virus, to the unit.

This is all the more reason to not separate mother and baby - baby has most likely been exposed, if mom is sick. 

And, that goes for caregivers, and lactation consultants, as well. The cost for testing for H1N1 is about $150 here, and most people cannot afford the testing. It is assumed you have the virus if you have "off-season" flu. I have to admit, having had this lovely flu, taking care of a baby would be the last thing on my mind. It would be tremendously supportive to have an outsider take care of the little ones (diapers, rocking, walking) but it would be terribly comforting to have the wee one close by.

Best wishes from someone not looking forward to the flu season on the cardiac unit,
Sam Doak RN IBCLC

<<

But the downside is the mandated 48 hour separation of mom and baby until you have proof whether its seasonal flu or H1N1. That takes 48 hours, assuming the State lab isn't overwhelmed with samples. 

And we have to keep the babies separated 6' apart in nursery, or in an isolette. Mom can pump and we can feed the milk to babe. Hope we have enough pumps to handle this. We have mostly 4-bed rooms (old bldg) so we will have "flu" rooms and "well" rooms.

Then mom and babe go home together with instructions on mask wearing and hand washing and having an uninfected helper care for and feed baby until symptoms go away. She won't be uninfected for long!

We will be querying visitors, and maybe actually taking temps before they enter the floor.

It's going to be a LONG winter!

Phyllis
>>

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