Infection Control

Facilities not ready for pandemic flu

Infection Control Weekly Monitor, April 22, 2009

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A new report compiled by the AFL-CIO and six unions found that the nation’s healthcare facilities are unprepared to protect healthcare workers during pandemic influenza, says the AFL-CIO blog.

One-third of the 104 facilities surveyed said they had no written plan in place for a flu pandemic. More than one-third of the respondents said they don’t think their workplace is ready or only slightly ready for a pandemic. Perhaps more frightening, 43% of respondents said most or some of their co-workers would stay home during a pandemic because of the lack of readiness.

The report recommends that OSHA issue a mandatory standard to protect healthcare workers, and says Congress should ensure those not covered by OSHA are covered by the standard.



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