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Unified Management Guidelines for Flu

The new guidelines are expected to clear the current confusion regarding the diagnosis, treatment and management of the cases faced by most healthcare providers.

Though they provide a detailed step-wise assessment method to be followed through a new triaging system in hospitals, they do not specify the need for a rapid test on any suspected case.

The UAE health ministry last week banned private healthcare centres from carrying out unnecessary tests.

The updated national health policy for government and private healthcare facilities came after WHO last week issued an interim guidance protocol on clinical management of A(H1N) pandemic in the region.

“All healthcare facilities have been alerted and asked to follow the latest announcement,” said Dr Ali Shukr, director general at the ministry and chairman of the Technical Health Committee to Combat Swine Flu while speaking to Khaleej Times on Tuesday.

“Though facilities have been following rough guidelines since August, we have now reminded them to stay updated,” he explained.

Dr Hassan El Bushra, regional adviser, Communicable Disease Surveillance, Forecasting and Response, WHO-Emro region said that health body had presented the generalised guidelines based on consultations with experts.

“Until now treatment of suspected or probable H1N1 cases has been a challenge for healthcare providers due to the existing knowledge gaps on several aspects of the clinical manifestations of the disease,” he said.

“But clinical evidences are beginning to emerge that such best treatment practices, if applied timely and correctly, can lead to reduced mortality from the current pandemic influenza virus,” said Dr Bushra.

“Countries can modify the guidelines to suit them but basically this is what they should be following,” he said.

The guidelines are intended for use in the health care at the primary, secondary or tertiary levels.

The guidance uses six case definitions of influenza for clinical diagnosis and initial treatment decision including suspected, probable, confirmed, influenza-like illness, severe acute respiratory illness and acute
respiratory infection.

“The guidance chart will be revised and updated as new information on the clinical manifestations of the disease become available,” said Dr Bushra.

Most private healthcare providers said they were yet to receive the guidelines. They, however, welcomed the step saying it was much needed.

“We have been very confused until now regarding the treatment method. But hopefully the guidelines will help us make a better clinical judgment,” said the medical director of a private healthcare group who did not want to be named.

“Several countries have already passed the stage we are in, so we can gain from their experience,” he added.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.ae

• UAE