IN FOCUS
H1N1 virus puts focus on preparedness
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Q&A with George Allen, PhD, CIC, CNOR Infection Preventionist and Director, Infection Control Downstate Medical Center Brooklyn, N.Y. |
The recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus commonly known as swine origin flu has forced many infection preventionists and perioperative leaders to revisit preparedness plans as they review staffing coordination and resource management to halt the spread of the virus in the healthcare setting.
Infection Preventionist George Allen, PhD, CIC, CNOR, shares how his facility has been impacted by H1N1 (swine flu) and what facility staff members are learning to stay prepared for future infectious disease outbreaks.
AORN Connections: From your perspective, what worked and what didn't work in your ORs/facility in terms of response to the H1N1 outbreak?
Allen: So far the H1N1 swine origin (SO) outbreak has been mild, and the impact on the perioperative service has been negligible. However, compared to last year, during the last two weeks admissions to our Emergency Department have significantly increased (>60%), mostly with the "worried well." But this has not resulted in a substantial number of admissions with H1N1 (SO) to the hospital in-patient care areas. Cases or potential cases so far have been mild, and they have all been discharged home from the Emergency Department. In general H1N1 (SO) is not expected to have a significant impact on the perioperative environment since it is not expected to result in a surge of operative procedures.
However, the potential for a large number of perioperative staff members contracting H1N1 (SO) is real, and managers and administrators are prepared to implement and activate alternate staffing pools and adjust OR schedules.
AORN Connections: Overall, was your facility well prepared to handle this outbreak?
Allen: Overall our facility is well prepared to handle the outbreak because, like most hospitals nationwide, we have focused on disaster preparedness and have conducted numerous drills over the past few years, including drills on pandemic flu. The extent of our preparedness involves supplies, such as masks, respirators, and gloves, responding to an influx of patients, and also addressing how we will find staff to manage the influx of patients if a significant number of our staff is ill.
AORN Connections: What are you suggesting to your facility to be better prepared for future situations like H1N1? What lessons did you learn?
Allen: Healthcare facilities should continue to conduct drills, including drills that focus on pandemic flu, as well as other scenarios. In these drills, the perioperative setting should focus on issues such as staffing, adjusting operative schedules, extending/expanding operating space and stockpiling sterile supplies.
Learn More
AORN continues to maintain its Web resource on H1N1 (swine flu) information for perioperative professionals, which includes links to resources and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and partner organizations, including the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
Joan Blanchard, RN, BSN, MSS, CNOR, CIC, infection control specialist in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice, shares what perioperative professionals need to be thinking about when considering infection control and prevention of H1N1 in the perioperative setting.
Listen to the podcast and find information for perioperative professionals on H1N1 here.
Read more news in AORN Connections.
Infection Preventionist George Allen, PhD, CIC, CNOR, shares how his facility has been impacted by H1N1 (swine flu) and what facility staff members are learning to stay prepared for future infectious disease outbreaks.
AORN Connections: From your perspective, what worked and what didn't work in your ORs/facility in terms of response to the H1N1 outbreak?
Allen: So far the H1N1 swine origin (SO) outbreak has been mild, and the impact on the perioperative service has been negligible. However, compared to last year, during the last two weeks admissions to our Emergency Department have significantly increased (>60%), mostly with the "worried well." But this has not resulted in a substantial number of admissions with H1N1 (SO) to the hospital in-patient care areas. Cases or potential cases so far have been mild, and they have all been discharged home from the Emergency Department. In general H1N1 (SO) is not expected to have a significant impact on the perioperative environment since it is not expected to result in a surge of operative procedures.
However, the potential for a large number of perioperative staff members contracting H1N1 (SO) is real, and managers and administrators are prepared to implement and activate alternate staffing pools and adjust OR schedules.
AORN Connections: Overall, was your facility well prepared to handle this outbreak?
Allen: Overall our facility is well prepared to handle the outbreak because, like most hospitals nationwide, we have focused on disaster preparedness and have conducted numerous drills over the past few years, including drills on pandemic flu. The extent of our preparedness involves supplies, such as masks, respirators, and gloves, responding to an influx of patients, and also addressing how we will find staff to manage the influx of patients if a significant number of our staff is ill.
AORN Connections: What are you suggesting to your facility to be better prepared for future situations like H1N1? What lessons did you learn?
Allen: Healthcare facilities should continue to conduct drills, including drills that focus on pandemic flu, as well as other scenarios. In these drills, the perioperative setting should focus on issues such as staffing, adjusting operative schedules, extending/expanding operating space and stockpiling sterile supplies.
Learn More
AORN continues to maintain its Web resource on H1N1 (swine flu) information for perioperative professionals, which includes links to resources and updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and partner organizations, including the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
Joan Blanchard, RN, BSN, MSS, CNOR, CIC, infection control specialist in AORN's Center for Nursing Practice, shares what perioperative professionals need to be thinking about when considering infection control and prevention of H1N1 in the perioperative setting.Listen to the podcast and find information for perioperative professionals on H1N1 here.
Read more news in AORN Connections.