Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

[Gert van der Hoek]

10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses




Saturday July 18 2009 23:24 |


BUENOS AIRES .- At least 10% of those killed by influenza A (H1N1) are health professionals. This figure was reported yesterday by an MP who claimed the national Ministry of Health a report on the status of doctors and nurses who are working to combat the epidemic.


"The sector of health workers is one of the most affected by the health emergency that we are experiencing," said the parliament of the Civic Coalition, Virginia Linares.


The order is based on the fact that these workers make up a group at high risk because patients infected caregivers. The deputy, who belongs to the sector Stolbizer Margarita, said that at least 10% of doctors and nurses were killed, (edit: probably meant to say: of the 10% of the deceased are HCW's) thousands of workers showed symptoms and a half hundred is in critical condition with a picture of pneumonia and influenza A.

The deputy, a native of Bahia Blanca, he added, inter alia, that the health emergency highlighted the precarious in that there are many health care workers. "We must be clear, well-trained workers in pay and decent working situations are the key to confronting a health crisis of this magnitude we live," said Linares. (NA)

http://www.lagaceta.com.ar/nota/335659/Informaci%C3%B3n_General/10pc_fallecidos_son_m%C3%A9dicos_enfermeros.html

credits to Mike Coston and Average Concerned Mom

[allaned]

Re: Argentina - 10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses

holy *#@#.

[theforeigner]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

Would?t health care workers, like doctors and nurses, caring for H1N1 patients, be taking antiviral medicin?
If so, does that mean that thise HCW?s was infected with OR developed Tamiflu and/or Relenza resitance H1N1 virus ?

[St Michael]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

Would?t health care workers, like doctors and nurses, caring for H1N1 patients, be taking antiviral medicin?

I don't think Tamiflu has been available up til recently:


Surge in Demand for Tamiflu
by: Harriet Hernando | 02 July 2009
section: Round Ups Argentina

This week it was announced that Tamiflu, the antiviral used to treat influenza A, would be available in pharmacies. Marcelo Peretta, a graduate from the pharmaceutical labour union said that since the announcement was made, consultations in pharmacies regarding the drug have increased.

At present the drug is not available in pharmacies, but sources at Roche laboratories, the manufacturers of Tamiflu confirmed that ?during the week we will supply the wholesalers and then it will be distributed to the pharmacies?.

The pharmaceutical chain Zona Vital have said that when it goes on sale Tamiflu will cost $135.45. In Chile and the US the drug costs US$48 but if a patient cannot afford it, it is also available free of charge.

According to Peretta, antivirals in Argentina should be free: ?The health insurers should be taking care of it.? She explained that demand for the drug began as soon as the first deaths from influenza A made the headlines.

She added: ?In that moment the pharmacies had a stock surplus which they later sold.? Furthermore, she explained that the amount of people requesting it in pharmacies went down when the government announced it would be distributed in hospitals. ?Now that people know Tamiflu will shortly be available in pharmacies, demand for it has gone up again. People are desperate. Many go to Chile to get the drug.? Those who chiefly require the antiviral are mothers with young children and old people.

According to Peretta, Tamiflu should not be only drug being used to fight the virus: ?They shouldn?t just be advertising this drug; they should also be promoting zanamivir, another drug that is considered effective against influenza A, since some patients can build up resistance to other drugs.? Zanamivir, known as Ralenza is only distributed by the British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and has not yet been released on the market in Argentina.

?We are awaiting an order from the State. Once this demand is satisfied we look at other possibilites like selling it to the public. This is a pandemic and one needs to prioritise,? said Rosana Felice, medical director of GlaxoSmithKline.

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

Note: Some of the figures in this article may not be translated properly

Demanded by health workers to Influenza A

Congresswoman Virginia National Linares, Civic Coalition, reported that around 10% of those killed by the pandemic are health workers. According to the lawmaker, some 7850 professionals would be in danger throughout the country. The basis of the report is based on the workers become a high-risk population because of caring for patients who have the virus.

At least 10 percent of those killed by influenza A (HINI) are health professionals, reported today that a national legislature called for the Ministry of Health a report related to the situation of those workers against the pandemic.

"The sector of health workers is one of the most affected by the health emergency that we are living in our country," said the member of GEN (Civic Coalition) Virginia Linares.

The basis of the report is based on the workers become a high-risk population because of caring for patients who have the virus.

For example, explained that the Medical Community, "was four months without charge and are still working in extremely precarious conditions, without stability, vacation or sick leave."

"We are talking about 7850 professionals who work in health units and 2100 primary care of the poorer areas of the country. We also know that there have been reports that doctors are not paid Impenetrable chaque?o its assets since April," said Linares .

The deputy, who belongs to the sector of Margarita Stolbizer also said that since the beginning of the pandemic "at least ten of them died of the disease, symptoms and a half thousand hundred is placed in critical condition with severe pneumonia and Influenza A ".

While calls to the health authorities to take urgent measures to prevent further morbidity and mortality in the sector, Linares said, "organizations that nuclear nurses reported that at least 100 nurses of the Hospital Alejandro Posadas, Mor?n, contracted influenza A (H1N1) and 50 cases complications such as respiratory failure and pneumonia. "

The deputy, a native of the city of Bah?a Blanca in Buenos Aires, he said, inter alia, that the emergency health also highlights the precarious in that there are many health workers. "

"We must be clear, well-trained workers in pay and decent working situations are the key to confronting a health crisis of the magnitude we face," said Linares.

Finally, he suggested that the authorities should call for the integration of workers and users at the provincial crisis committee and city to ensure that resources go where needed.

http://www.mdzol.com/mdz/nota/144938-Reclaman-por-los-trabajadores-de-la-salud-ante-la-Gripe-A/

[tropical]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

#5: ... may not be translated properly
"La diputada, que pertenece al sector de Margarita Stolbizer, dijo asimismo que desde el inicio de la pandemia "al menos diez de ellos fallecieron como consecuencia de la enfermedad, miles presentaron síntomas y medio centenar se encuentra en estado crítico internados con cuadros graves de neumonía y Gripe A"."
___

"... thousand displayed symptoms and a half hundred is placed in critical condition with severe pneumonia and Influenza A"

[LMonty]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

of the hundred nurses that contracted it, 50 have developed severe disease? wow, thats very, very concerning. I wish we had more info on it. Such as the factors that might be responsible- perhaps so many developed severe illness because of the innoculation rates due to close contact and high risk procedures such as administering nebulizers, suctioning, etc. Perhaps with overwork their immune systems were already compromised.

But that sure sounds like a problem. How can a facility continue to function with that many nurses out of commission?

This report makes me wonder if the hospital in Moron is dealing with a more virulent strain.

[colormyquilt]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

If the H1N1 pandemic possibly moves toward a CFR of 2-5% (various sources=various estimates), then Argentina is reporting a CFR for HCW's at 2-5 times the anticipated CFR for general worldwide population.

I am wondering if there is a factor related specifically to HCW's and the milieu they must manage that accounts for this? I am wondering if this may be a reflection of what is happening in the general population as well?

These numbers bring to mind John Barry's recounting of 1918 Pandemic.

All the ramifications of having those in the health care system being so affected would seem to be a major alert to what can be expected in the weeks and months ahead. Theories and guess-estimates and research, at this time, are not diminishing "what is happening on the ground." Those I talk with, for the most part, do not know of the situation in Argentina, Australia, the sudden and violent deaths of those from around the world, Great Britain's anticipated deaths from H1N1 over the course of the pandemic, the deaths of pregnant women (and baby), the warnings to pregnant women, tamiflu resistant patients, and more and more.

I want so badly that we have just a little more time. However, the storm seems to be at hand. From a very wise teacher some years in the past, I learned, "Carpe Diem."

[Treyfish]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

not sure how old this is, I looked but didn't see it posted.If it is old or aready posted, I will remove it.

Buenos Aires gov't confirms evacuation of Malvinas Argentinas hospital

Buenos Aires Health Minister Claudio Zin spoke today at a conference regarding the H1N1 virus and measures on how to control it.
Zin confirmed that the hospital in the Buenos Aires municipality of Malvinas Argentinas would be evacuated in order to treat patients affected by the virus.
The conference comes after ten deaths have been confirmed, caused by the swine flu virus.
Zin said that measures are being taken to "protect those affected by the virus."http://www.buenosairesherald.com/BreakingNews/View/4674

[tropical]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

I agree.

Maybe it can be also contemplated that the supposed projections of 100-1000 times bigger quantity of light non reported cases of infections, compared to the reported ones, did not correspond to the reality.

Maybe, because of this virus atributes, the light non reported cases are much minor, and than the actual percent of serious cases are bigger than was thinked, so we are already in a serious severe pandemic with this vawe, or maybe the virus is now on the changing route (as it seems be suggested in an recent chinese public release in one FT post news: "imminent").

The recent WHO decision of giving up from collecting heavy infected countries reports results about cases and testing, will further deminish the global public vision, maybe to relax the informations about changings for the wide public worldwide releases ...


#7:...
"This report makes me wonder if the hospital in Moron is dealing with a more virulent strain"

#8:
"All the ramifications of having those in the health care system being so affected would seem to be a major alert to what can be expected in the weeks and months ahead. Theories and guess-estimates and research, at this time, are not diminishing "what is happening on the ground." Those I talk with, for the most part, do not know of the situation in Argentina, Australia, the sudden and violent deaths of those from around the world, Great Britain's anticipated deaths from H1N1 over the course of the pandemic, the deaths of pregnant women (and baby), the warnings to pregnant women, tamiflu resistant patients, and more and more.

I want so badly that we have just a little more time. However, the storm seems to be at hand."

#9:... transfers

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

This is peculiar. Hand washing, masks, gloves and other PPE should significantly diminish the number of infected hospital workers. So, does this mean they were not only short of antivirals they were also short of some basic protective equipment? Were they so over-worked they became careless? Were they getting an abnormally huge viral lode while caring for their patients as suggested by LMonty, resulting in a particularly virulent strain? This most certainly bears further investigation.

[Treyfish]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

There are at least 10 deaths among health workers
A flu threat puts physicians and nurses
Health centers in Capital Region and 10% were infected



More than 10 percent of health workers of the Federal Capital and the province were infected with influenza A in health centers and at least a dozen died from respiratory illness.
Associations of doctors and health workers say that another consequence of the spread of swine influenza and absenteeism is that the largest number of infections was observed among nurses because of their high exposure. Reported also that the effects of the pandemic in the sector could have been mitigated if government had not taken steps to address the emergency.
Before the elections on June 28, health professionals warned that they were not guaranteed the minimum security standards to prevent the spread of H1N1 virus among patients and employees of the health centers.
Chinstrap complaints of poor quality and lack of staff in the nursing sector there is a shortfall of 45 thousand players at a national level continues at the various health services.
Jose Jerez, president of the Association of Nursing of the Federal Capital and Head of the Department of Nursing at the Favaloro Foundation, estimates that more than 10 percent of the health district was infected with the H1N1 virus.
"These figures speak for all staff, but nurses are increasing rates because they are more exposed, as the 24 hours with patients. For every 7 physicians are infected 20 nurses in the same situation, "said Sherry, in dialogue with this half.
It regrets, however, "the unreliability of official statistics. But surveys of the various associations and the information circulating on the forums come to these figures, "while noting that there are" three fatal cases of nurses who contracted the influenza A and one quarter under review. "
In Jerez, the workers who died after contracting the influence swine, as the nurse Mary Ferrer Hospital in the city, had an associated disease. "It is complicated and a few cases Garrahan Hospital nurse who was very serious, fortunately was able to recover," he says.

Proud of the work being carried out nurses, Sherry notes that "have done a wonderful job, you have the body of the high demand of patients. Authorities say there is to motivate students to display more nurses but we still see 'trash contracts' in the State. And we should not be surprised by the magnitude of the emergency and the health system presents problems for 40 years and therefore make every appearance, as with dengue fever. "
Workers Posadas Hospital, one of the hardest hit to the containment of the emergency, reported that "at least 100 nurses contracted the H1N1 virus and 50 cases complications such as respiratory failure and pneumonia" after infected in the hospital for Haedo town.

Late reaction

For his part, Hugo Amor, chairman of the CICOP (the union of health professionals in the province), admits that 10 per cent of health personnel from 77 public hospitals of Buenos Aires became ill of influenza A. "It is true that more professional nurses, doctors, biochemists, or licensed nursing kinesiologists-infected. But the situation was exacerbated because there was a belated reaction of the government to combat the pandemic, "said the leader.
In this connection, he recalled that "many workers are not sick because they had taken security measures such as isolation rooms for patients, and had not been disseminated to the public campaigns. This contagion was more. "
So far has not reported any professional "died of influenza A in public hospitals. The doctor who died of influenza A in Mar del Plata worked at a clinic in the area of Batan. Instead we have heard of other fatal cases in health workers from the hospital "State finds love
No zaf? or Malbr?n

Even the staff of the National Institute Malbr?n where influenza A was diagnosed in thousands of samples to arrive from across the country, did not escape the epidemic. Flavio Vergara, delegate of the Association of State Workers (ATE) at the institution, confirmed that at least two workers entered the wrong setting.
"There were two cases of infection, a technician and a professional biochemist who became ill. But we do not know whether the contagion was at work or outside. Were discharged at 15 days and were given an antiviral medication. Now you are well, "says Vergara. http://www.popularonline.com.ar/nota.php?Nota=397439

[JimO]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

This is peculiar. Hand washing, masks, gloves and other PPE should significantly diminish the number of infected hospital workers. So, does this mean they were not only short of antivirals they were also short of some basic protective equipment? Were they so over-worked they became careless? Were they getting an abnormally huge viral lode while caring for their patients as suggested by LMonty, resulting in a particularly virulent strain? This most certainly bears further investigation.

A friend of mine is a respiratory therapist professional and RN. She told me recently that her hospital was having serious problems with OHSA requirements for infectious disease care. It's the same problems we've heard in California - not enough N95 masks and other PPE and not following proper containment procedures. This, coupled with news like that from Argentina could create an ethical dilemma for HCWs who might fear for their own safety.

[tropical]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

#13:
"not enough N95 masks and other PPE and not following proper containment procedures. This, coupled with news like that from Argentina could create an ethical dilemma for HCWs who might fear for their own safety."

Exactly.

But isn't it easier for them trying to push the hospital board to enforce such procedures and stocks, than surrender to be infected from the illness, or to make other taugh choices?

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Argentina - "10% of the deceased are doctors and nurses"

Not enough PPE (personal protective equipment) is going to cause an enormous problem worldwide. I shudder to think how many health care workers and other essential hospital personnel are not going to show up for work if they lack basic protection.