Minnesota
Department of Health
October=
21,
2009
Min=
nesota
FluLine to offer support and treatment options for people with possible
symptoms of influenza
Minnesotans
with flu symptoms can call toll-free line at 1-866-259-4655
A new p= hone-based service is now available for Minnesotans who think they may have the flu. <= o:p>
Beginni=
ng
today, people with possible flu symptoms can call the Minnesota FluLine (MN
FluLine) at 1-866-259-4655 for information and treatment options. Professio=
nals
will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People with limited
English skills will be connected with an interpreter. There is no charge for
the call.
Callers=
with
flu symptoms will be connected with a participating nurse at MN FluLine, or=
a
nurse at a triage line operated by their own provider network or health pla=
n.
The nurses will evaluate the health concerns of callers and discuss treatme=
nt
options, using consistent criteria to determine which treatment option is m=
ost
appropriate for each individual.
Possible
treatment options can include rest and fluids at home, a prescription for an
antiviral medication, or medical evaluation in a clinic or hospital.
FluLine=
was
developed in response to the first global influenza pandemic in over 40 yea=
rs.
Officials are concerned that the pandemic could overwhelm the health care
system, and they believe that FluLine can reduce some of the demands on the
system.
FluLine=
is
also expected to help decrease the spread of the flu. By providing assistan=
ce
over the phone, the new service is expected to limit the number of potentia=
lly
infectious people who gather in emergency rooms, urgent care centers and
clinics.
“= We have been concerned that this flu season could place a huge burden on our health care system,” said Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. “By providing support and treatment options to people over the phone, we hope this new service will allow our health care providers and facilities to focus on those people who most need their attention.” <= o:p>
MN FluL=
ine is
the first influenza triage line in the country providing statewide reach and
the option of prescribing anti-virals drugs under standing orders from a
physician. It is a unique public-private partnership involving the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Hospital Association, the Minneso=
ta
Council of Health Plans, health care providers, local health departments, a=
nd
the Children’s Physician Network (CPN). CPN is responsible for the ac=
tual
operation of FluLine. The service was developed with input and advice from a
number of other partners, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
“=
This
unprecedented collaboration means that Minnesotans with flu-like symptoms h=
ave
another tool in their tool kit to fight the flu – a place to have
questions answered about their illness and be evaluated for possible
treatment,” said Dr. Aaron DeVries, medical epidemiologist at MDH.
“We’re grateful to have the support of so many partners in maki=
ng the
FluLine available to the people of our state.”
The Min=
nesota
FluLine was created specifically to meet the needs of people with possible
symptoms of the flu. By definition, those symptoms include a fever of 100
degrees or more, along with a cough or sore throat. Flu symptoms can also
include runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and/or fatigue. =
In
some cases, symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza can also include vomiting and
diarrhea in addition to respiratory symptoms.
In most
cases, people can recover from the flu at home without needing to visit a
health care provider. Those who may be at highest risk for complications fr=
om
the flu include children under two years of age,
people 65 years of age or older, pregnant women, and people with underlying
medical conditions.
Health
officials continue to emphasize prevention measures as the first line of
defense against the flu: stay home if you're sick with a flu-like illness,
cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or a
tissue, and wash your hands frequently.
For mos=
t people,
staying home when they are sick means staying home from work or school, and
avoiding other locations where they could expose others to the flu, until at
least 24 hours after their fever resolves, without the aid of medications l=
ike
acetaminophen or ibuprofen. People are being encouraged to get vaccinated n=
ow
against seasonal flu, and get the H1N1 vaccine a=
s it
becomes available. The H1N1 vaccine will be an extremely valuable tool for
preventing infection.
People
who need information about the flu, but do not have symptoms, are encourage=
d to
visit the flu information page on the MDH Web site at www.mdhflu.com. The Web site of=
fers a
wide range of information and resources, including an interactive flu shot
clinic finder.
-MDH=
-
Part=
ners
of the Minnesota FluLine Project:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Children’s Hospitals and Clinic of Minnesota
Children’s Physician Network
Fairview Health Services
HealthPartners
Mayo Clinic
Medica
Metropolitan Health Plan
OptumHealth
Park Nicollet Health Services
Prime West Health
Saint Mary’s Duluth Clinics
UCare
United Way 211