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)