Infection Control

Swine flu scare provides real-time preparedness training

Briefings on Infection Control, July 1, 2009

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For years, the CDC has proclaimed that the potential of a pandemic is not a question of if, but when. Hospitals around the country and the world may be heeding that advice more urgently after the recent outbreaks of novel influenza A H1N1, commonly known as swine flu.

Although the outbreaks have seemingly subsided from fears of a full-blown pandemic, the relatively brief scare may have served as a wake-up call for many facilities and a pandemic planning practice round for others. Recently, several studies have concluded that the United States is not well prepared for a large-scale disaster, such as a pandemic, that would affect the entire nation.

A survey of all 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, released in early March by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), found that although the country is well prepared to distribute vaccines and antiviral drugs to combat a pandemic, items such as transportation plans are still inadequate. Additionally, many states are unprepared for the months of social and economic disruption a pandemic could cause, and some hospitals haven’t made plans for the surge of patients that would flood emergency rooms, according to the survey.

Another survey released April 16, conducted by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, questioned 104 facilities and found that more than one-third of the respondents believed their workplace was not ready or only slightly ready to address the health and safety issues necessary to protect workers. In addition, one-third of the facilities have yet to develop a written plan for a pandemic, and 43% of respondents believe some, if not most, of their fellow workers will stay home.

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