Swine Flu prevention at the Royal University for Women

Following the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health, below are listed all the precautionary measure the RUW H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Committee has implemented in order to alleviate the spread of the virus.

1. Committee

• H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Committee was formed and meet weekly to enable smooth dissemination of the guidelines and procedures.

2. Screening

• Plans implemented to enable checking of staff temperatures daily.
• Plans in place to check student temperatures daily, once they return to RUW on the 27th September.
• Records kept of temperature checks.
• Flash thermometers purchased to enable accurate and quick checks.
• Procedures in place in case a member of staff or a student does not pass the screening (i.e. they have a consistently high temperature and 2 or more H1N1 symptoms).
• Isolation rooms prepared including required essential items such as masks, bed, bin etc. in both RUW Clinic and the Halls of Residence.
• Procedures in place in the event of a Resident student being suspected of having the virus i.e. how to get them to a hospital (in the worst case scenario).
• H1N1 Virus file formed to record cases.

3. Cleaning

• Meeting with the Manager of the Cleaning Company regarding necessary wiping of door handles, telephones etc. with alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• 40 Alcohol based hand sanitizing liquid dispensers and liquid purchased and guidelines on how to use it effectively displayed next to each dispenser.

4. Dissemination of Information

• All staff and students informed of RUW guidelines (including new students) by e-mail and these have been added to the web site.
• Guidelines distributed to all staff and students in the event of a member of their household contracting the virus.
• Official leaflets and posters distributed around RUW campus.

A Royal University for Women representative, Dr. Clare McInroy, Dean of Student Affairs, stated:

"We are doing everything in our power to prevent the spread of the H1N1 Virus as per the guidelines from the Ministry of Health. We are confident that we will implement a smooth and effective screening of students at the beginning of this semester starting with the Student Orientation Day on the 27th September."