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Avian Flu Pandemic Preparedness. David A. Denneno APRN,BC, MSN, MEd, CEN Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Sturdy Memorial Hospital Attleboro, MA. The only thing harder to do than get your organization to plan for a disaster is to explain to the public why you didn’t. Avian Flu Key Facts.
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Avian Flu Pandemic Preparedness David A. Denneno APRN,BC, MSN, MEd, CEN Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Sturdy Memorial Hospital Attleboro, MA
The only thing harder to do than get your organization to plan for a disaster is to explain to the public why you didn’t.
Avian Flu Key Facts • Influenza A (H5N1) virus is an influenza A virus subtype occurring mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them • H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but infections with these viruses have occurred in humans. Most of these cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces • Influenza viruses have the ability to change. Scientists concerned that H5N1 virus could be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another • Pandemic occurrence cannot be predicted • If H5N1 virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, an influenza pandemic could begin
Pandemic Outbreak Possibilities • At least 2-7 million people worldwide will die (possibly many more) • Tens of millions of people will require medical attention • Healthcare systems may become overwhelmed • Essential services may break down as key personnel are infected • Businesses and schools may close • International travel may be limited as governments restrict entry
Traditional vs Disaster Medicine • Traditional Medicine • Do everything possible for the patient. • Disaster Medicine • Do the most for the most.
Pandemic Influenza Plans • HHS Plan • National Stockpiles • Massachusetts DPH Plan • National Hospital Bio-terrorism Preparedness Program
HHS Plan • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that hospitals consider stockpiling enough consumable resources, such as masks and gloves, to last the duration of a pandemic wave, approximately six to eight weeks. It also recommends that hospitals do the following: • Anticipate the need for supplies and determine trigger points for ordering extra resources • Estimate the need for respiratory care equipment (including mechanical ventilators), and develop a strategy for acquiring additional equipment, if needed • Anticipate their need for antibiotics and determine how supplies can be maintained during a pandemic.
VHA Inc. Survey • Depletion of critical supplies within 2 weeks • Interruptions in Asian manufacturing could impact replenishment options • 60/62% with plans: Not prepared • 90% inventory last 16 days or <
Larry Dooley, Vice President at Novation Hospitals need to take a critical look at their inventory levels. Determine whether they need to slowly begin making changes to prepare for the impact of avian flu or some other pandemic Communicate their needs to their supply distribution partners Network with other hospitals in their community or region Develop a contingency plan for how they might share supplies or move supplies within a region on a rolling basis