Pandemic Flu for Healthcare Professionals

An influenza pandemic will place a huge burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Published estimates based on extrapolation of the 1957 and 1968 pandemics suggest that there could be 839,000 to 9,625,000 hospitalizations, 18-42 million outpatient visits, and 20-47 million additional illnesses, depending on the attack rate of infection during the pandemic. Therefore, planning for pandemic influenza is key.

Healthcare providers will play a crucial role in the event of a pandemic. Here are some resources to assist healthcare professionals in their preparation efforts, as well as their response during a pandemic flu outbreak:

• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers (PDF) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
• Pandemic Influenza Information for Health Professionals (from the Centers for Disease Control)
• Health & Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan-Supplement 3, Healthcare Planning (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
• Health & Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan-Supplement 4, Infection Control (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

• Health & Human Services Pandemic Influenza Plan-Supplement 5, Clinical Guidelines (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Also, be sure to visit the Physician H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Resources section for numerous educational links and downloads for your practice and your patients.