Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T08:26:59.503Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Pandemic Preparedness: Implementation of Infection Prevention Emergency Plans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Terri Rebmann*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biosecurity, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Saint Louis University, School of Public Health, Saint Louis, Missouri
*
Institute of Biosecurity, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Saint Louis University, School of Public Health, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, Room 463, Saint Louis, MO 63104 ([email protected])

Abstract

The H1N1 influenza pandemic provided a real-world test of hospital disaster plans. Challenges to hospitals included inconsistent use of isolation precautions; changing and conflicting guidelines; lack of available supplies, including N95 respirators and medications; and overwhelming amounts of information that required sifting. Further research is needed regarding pandemic planning.

Type
Supplement Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Meltzer, MI, Cox, NJ, Fukuda, K. The economic impact of pandemic influenza in the United States: priorities for intervention. Emerg Infect Dis 1999;5(5):659671.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Rebmann, T. Assessing hospital emergency management plans: a guide for infection preventionists. Am J Infect Control 2009;37(9):708714.e4.Google Scholar
3.Amaratunga, CA, O'Sullivan, TL, Phillips, KP, et al.Ready, aye ready? Support mechanisms for healthcare workers in emergency planning: a critical gap analysis of three hospital emergency plans. Am J Disaster Med 2007;2(4):195210.Google Scholar
4.Hui, Z, Jian-Shi, H, Xiong, H, Peng, L, Da-Ling, Q. An analysis of the current status of hospital emergency preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks in Beijing, China. Am J Infect Control 2007;35(1):6267.Google Scholar
5.Rebmann, T, Carrico, R, English, J. Hospital infectious disease emergency preparedness: a survey of infection control professionals. Am J Infect Control 2007;35(1):2532.Google Scholar
6.Rebmann, T, Wilson, R, LaPointe, S, Russell, B, Moroz, D. Hospital infectious disease emergency preparedness: a 2007 survey of infection control professionals. Am J Infect Control 2009;37(1):18.Google Scholar
7.Lautenbach, E, Saint, S, Henderson, DK, Harris, AD. Initial response of health care institutions to emergency of H1N1 influenza: experiences, obstacles, and perceived future needs. Clin Infect Dis 2010;50:523527.Google Scholar
8.Rebmann, T, Wagner, W. Infection preventionists' experience during the first months of the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A pandemic. Am J Infect Control 2009;37:e5e16.Google Scholar
9.Roberge, RJ, Coca, A, Williams, WJ, Powell, JB, Palmiero, AJ. Physiological impact of the N95 filtering facepiece respirator on healthcare workers. Respir Care 2010;55(5):569577.Google ScholarPubMed