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When news of a potential H1N1 (Swine) Influenza pandemic broke, BWH already was prepared to respond, thanks to ongoing emergency preparedness efforts by a coordinated group of staff from across the hospital and Partners HealthCare.
“There is a robust history of emergency preparedness at BWH and Partners in collaboration with the city, state and federal governments,” said Richard Zane, MD, vice chair of Emergency Medicine. “We continuously prepare to respond to crisis by conducting training, education and drills that include plans to respond to a potential influx of infectious patients, which was a consideration with an outbreak like H1N1.”
In the hospital’s Crisis Resource Manual, extensive plans and policies for dealing with an influenza outbreak address issues such as staff safety and preparedness and proper patient care.
“We are always cognizant of the fact that a new influenza strain could be circulating at some point,” said Deborah Yokoe, MD, BWH’s hospital epidemiologist. “The work we did to prepare for possible avian flu and SARS in past years helped us in our plans for the novel H1N1 influenza virus.”
The hospital implemented the Incident Command System, led by Chief Medical Officer Andy Whittemore, MD, the last week of April after reports from the CDC and Mass. Department of Public Health indicated that swine flu might reach a pandemic. A planning committee formed to put the public health recommendations into effect.
“The hospital incident command system has an all-hazards based emergency operations preparedness plan that put us in a good position to help manage H1N1,” said Barry Wante, director of Emergency Preparedness.
Communication to staff and patients was a key part of the plan. A public information officer ensured that messages to hospital employees and patients were clear, accurate and timely.
“We were able to keep staff informed of changing recommendations and alert patients and visitors coming into ?the hospital of the importance of wearing a mask to prevent spread to others if they were experiencing any of the symptoms,” Yokoe said.
Representatives from Emergency Medicine, Emergency Management, Infection Control, Security, Engineering, Nursing, Occupational Health and other departments ensured that appropriate supplies, such as N95 respirators and surgical masks, were available and that clinical staff received the latest screening protocol changes immediately.
“The Emergency Department did a great job of screening patients and staying flexible when recommendations on diagnostic testing, screening and precautions were changing constantly,” Yokoe said.
Situations like H1N1 emphasize how important good infection control practices are in preventing the spread of disease. “Good hand hygiene practices and respiratory etiquette, such as using a tissue to contain a cough or sneeze, are important in preventing diseases from spreading,” Yokoe said.