H1N1 Flu Preparations
Statements Regarding the H1N1 Flu Virus:
Bloomberg.com Article
"Swine flu may hospitalize 1.8 million patients in the U.S. this year, filling intensive care units to capacity and causing “severe disruptions” during a fall resurgence, scientific advisers to the White House warned."
"Swine flu, also known as H1N1, may infect as much as half of the population and kill 30,000 to 90,000 people, double the deaths caused by the typical seasonal flu, according to the planning scenario issued yesterday by the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology. "
“This isn’t the flu that we’re used to,” said Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. health and human services secretary. “The 2009 H1N1 virus will cause a more serious threat this fall. We won’t know until we’re in the middle of the flu season how serious the threat is, but because it’s a new strain, it’s likely to infect more people than usual.”
The White House Office of the Secretary
"...the current strain "poses a serious health threat" to the nation."
"The issue is not that the virus is more deadly than other flu strains, but rather that it is likely to infect more people than usual because it is a new strain against which few people have immunity. This could mean that doctors’ offices and hospitals may get filled to capacity."
"As this PCAST report notes, it is not possible to predict how the 2009-H1N1 influenza virus or the upcoming influenza season will play out, but it is best that we plan and prepare for a resurgence of H1N1 flu," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano."
Trinity Healthcare CNO, Charisse Cockfield, RN, MSN
"This year’s flu season will be alarmingly disruptive due to H1N1 flu and we must take all known precautions to be prepared. Trinity is committed to help minimize disruption to your business operations should the flu strike your workforce or overload your patient census. Our Crisis Response plan’s effectiveness is built upon the CDC data, kept current, and updated regularly on our website for your viewing. The World Health Organization states that as much as 30% of people in densely populated areas will risk getting infected."
Trinity's H1N1 Crisis Response Plan
We have received special requests from clients for on call staff, block booking per diem nurses, or travel staff on short term contracts to be prepared for any staffing emrgencies. We have and are continuing to develop a Ready Nurse Pool for these clients. The links below contain forms that allow you to request a call from our Crisis Response Team.
What does this mean for my facility?
What does this mean for me as a nurse?
More H1N1 Links
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/
