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How to plan better for infectious waste disposal

Briefings on Infection Control, August 1, 2009

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Although the summer months usually override the thought of flu season for healthcare workers and patients, it’s these months before the season kicks in that are most crucial for planning.

On June 11, the World Health Organization officially declared a phase six pandemic. Although the organization considers the severity to be moderate, organizations such as the CDC have stressed the importance of planning for the upcoming fall flu season, when the combination of seasonal flu and novel influenza A H1N1 could intensify the effect on healthcare facilities. "Moving forward, we'll have to address two different challenges: seasonal flu, as we have each year, and novel H1N1 influenza," newly appointed CDC director Tom Frieden, MD, said in a June 11 press conference. "We'll be looking at those separately and how they relate to each other."

Although IPs will be focused on employee safety and mitigating the transmission of the disease, one important planning consideration should revolve around disposing of an increase in infectious waste during a pandemic. IPs' involvement in pandemic planning and knowledge of the flu's infectious properties mean their input is vital.

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