Purpose

The purpose of this operations plan is to promote the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, family and visitors to the College by reducing the potential exposure to seasonal influenza or the H1N1 virus while still maintaining the continuity of College operations.

The College will monitor guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organizations (WHO), as well as Douglas County Health Department officials. The College will revise this operations plan as necessary as more information becomes available. Please refer to the College web site for the latest information and instructions.

Prevention of Illness

The College encourages and expects all faculty, staff and students to adhere to the guidance of the CDC and the College Health Advisory Committee in order to minimize your risk of becoming ill with seasonal or H1N1 flu. The CDC recommends four main prevention techniques.

1. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Frequently clean commonly used surfaces such as door knobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, keyboards, counter tops, faucets and bathroom areas.
2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are easily spread this way.
3. Stay home or at your place of residence if you are sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance or are sweating), except to get medical care. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medication that contains ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin). Staying away from others (self-isolation) while sick, even if you are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu, can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed.
4. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or H1N1 flu. People under age 25 are one of the key groups recommended by the CDC to be among the first to receive the H 1 N 1 flu vaccine. Individuals who are at high risk of complications may benefit from early treatment, and recovery time may be shorter for persons treated promptly with antiviral medicines upon the onset of symptoms.

If You Become III

Metropolitan Community College faculty, staff and students are required to NOT report to work or school if they have a fever greater than 100.4 degree Fahrenheit (38 degree Celsius) combined with one or more of the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Faculty, staff and students who exhibit two or more of these symptoms should take the following actions:

• Notify your supervisor/instructor that you are ill and will not be able to work/attend classes.
• Notify the College Health Advisory Officer at (402) 738-4789 if you have a laboratory confirmed case of seasonal flu or HINI flu. This is solely for the purpose of additional cleaning of potentially exposed areas of the College.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care (your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Isolate yourself to keep from potentially exposing other people.
• Seek medical advice from your primary care physician or health practitioner.

Faculty, staff or students who display influenza-like illness symptoms may be sent horne. Those who display symptoms and refuse to leave after being asked to do so may be subject to disciplinary action.

Benefits eligible faculty and staff who are ill but do not have enough accrued sick leave to cover their absence may utilize accrued annual leave, compensatory time or leave without pay for all work hours missed.

All procedures governing sick leave (see PM VI-l3) and communicable diseases (see PM VI-25) remain in effect. Faculty and staff are required to follow normal leave notification procedures and guidelines established by the College.

Faculty and staff who have specific questions regarding benefits, pay or leave policies should contact the Human Resources Department for guidance.

Adapted from www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/workplace.htm and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance
List accessed on Sept. 2, 2009

Referenced: University of Nebraska 2009-2010 Flu Season Policy