INN FROM THE COLD – KELOWNA INFLUENZA A H1N1 Protocol

At Inn from the Cold – Kelowna we want to ensure that our staff, volunteers and guests are as healthy as possible. With recent concerns regarding H1N1 we have developed the following protocol.

Monitoring for Influenza Like Illness Among Guests – Procedures for Intake

At Inn from the Cold – Kelowna, in order to reduce spread of H1N1 among guests using our shelter, staff will screen all guests for symptoms of influenza like illness (ILI) each day at intake and provide guests with information about the symptoms so that they will self identify should they develop Influenza Like Illness (ILI).

All guests will be required to utilize hand sanitizing stations during the shelter intake procedure and encouraged to use them periodically throughout their stay with Inn from the Cold.

For Guests with Influenza Like Illness

If a guest has ILI, the following precautions will be taken.

• Ask the person to put on a mask.

• Ask the person to wash their hands with either:

1. Liquid soap, running water and dry with paper towels

2. Alcohol based hand sanitizer

• Move the person to a separate area of the shelter where they are at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from other clients and staff

• People who are homeless may be more likely to have underlying or chronic health conditions. People with chronic health conditions may have a higher risk of become severely ill if they have influenza. If a guest who has ILI also has underlying chronic health conditions then staff members will assess the availability and appropriateness of treatment and implement further procedures.

• For guests with ILI who have been assessed by a health care provider, or who will be assessed shortly, and are not in distress, the staff member will ensure that the guest is as comfortable as possible, away from other guests, washing hands frequently and wearing a mask.