Preparing for a Flu Pandemic
BY KEVIN M. KAVANAUGH, MA, AND SUSAN DUDA-GARDINER, BSN, RN |
Preparing for a flu pandemic Emergency planning is key to addressing this possible crisis |
A few months ago, ABC aired the movie Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America. Although this movie has been labeled as sensationalistic by some, the possibility of a bird flu epidemic is still very real. If a pandemic starts, everyone in the nation could be at risk. Now is the time to start planning for this crisis. According to a July 26, 2006, report from the World Health Organization, there have been 232 cases worldwide of avian influenza and 134 deaths. As of this writing, there is no known case of human-to-human transmission of this virus, although there have been reports that there is an Indonesian family with multiple cases of the disease, which marks the first time that a family cluster has contracted the disease. Although the initial symptoms are similar to regular influenza, pandemic flu is likely to be far more serious and deadly because there are no known vaccines for humans. Pandemic flu can spread outside the normal flu season (November to March) and cause much greater social disruption than regular flu. Because nursing homes serve very high-risk and susceptible populations, healthcare professionals cannot assume that a flu pandemic simply won’t happen, no matter how minimal the chances of occurring. The stakes are simply too high. These professionals must be vigilant in preparing for this crisis to safeguard the elderly and disabled individuals who are most at risk. Because of the dangers pandemic flu presents, the Illinois Council on Long Term Care, a professional association representing nearly 200 nursing homes that serve more than 37,000 residents, has been educating its members on how to prepare for this potential crisis. Council representatives have attended flu pandemic conferences sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health and have participated in flu exercises involving coordinated public safety responses. In addition, the Illinois Council has written several clinical newsletters on the avian flu pandemic and has drafted a model facility policy for its membership. The Illinois Council offers the following recommendations to nursing home professionals on preparing for a flu pandemic. We encourage readers to look over this material to make sure they have considered several of the most important avenues of preparation. The Importance of Infection Control
Unlike seasonal flu, even healthy people will be at increased risk for serious complications because no one has developed immunity to this virus. The symptoms can progress to complications and death in as quickly as two days. Because of the rapid progression of this illness, professionals must be ready to act quickly to isolate and protect residents from harm. Develop a Pandemic Flu Policy
The most important piece of advice is to remain informed about the key issues. For the latest advisories about the pandemic flu, committee members can visit the official federal government Web site at www.pandemicflu.gov. Another source of information is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has a hot line, (800) CDC-INFO, and Web site, www.cdc.gov/flu/avian. The Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC have also released a pandemic influenza planning checklist for long-term care facilities. This document is available at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/LongTermCareChecklist.html. Nursing home professionals are dedicated to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the vulnerable populations they serve. They cannot simply assume that a flu pandemic won’t happen, no matter how minimal its chances of occurrence. By planning ahead, and staying informed, these professionals can create a strong safety net of care for the thousands of elderly and disabled citizens who are the most in danger of falling prey to this epidemic. Kevin M. Kavanaugh, MA, is Director of Public Affairs and Susan Duda-Gardiner, BSN, RN, is Director of Clinical Services for the Illinois Council on Long Term Care. For more information, phone (773) 478-6613 or visit www.nursinghome.org. To send your comments to the authors and editors, please e-mail kavanaugh0906@nursinghomesmagazine.com |
I Advance Senior Care is the industry-leading source for practical, in-depth, business-building, and resident care information for owners, executives, administrators, and directors of nursing at assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, post-acute facilities, and continuing care retirement communities. The I Advance Senior Care editorial team and industry experts provide market analysis, strategic direction, policy commentary, clinical best-practices, business management, and technology breakthroughs.
I Advance Senior Care is part of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care and published by Plain-English Health Care.
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