Hospital assessment: Isolation of flu patients and infection
control
Hospital assessment methods
include isolation of flu patients for infection control. Depending upon the
country in which one lives, there may be different assessing methods, models or
tools used in hospitals.
Because the H1N1 virus is in pandemic status, it has
serious implications for the lives of many people around the globe. Implementing some degree of
consistency into hospital assessment methodology with regard to pandemic
influenza control is important. Presenting one method of hospital assessment
may offer base guidelines for other hospitals around the world. They can use
this tool or develop a similar model of their own. It is up to each country,
community and hospital to determine a model's suitability for implementation.
The 'Hospital
Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist' (1)
is available on the following web site:
This website suggests,
"Planning for pandemic influenza is critical for ensuring a sustainable
healthcare response." (2)
Note that this checklist has
been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in conjunction
with other Federal partners. Its purpose is "to help hospitals assess and
improve their preparedness for responding to pandemic influenza." (3)
Preparing health care
professionals and educators involved with hospitals, presents a global
challenge, because there are many factors involved in a health crisis of this
proportion. Hospital similarities and differences in various parts of the world
are only one part of the picture.
"Because of differences
among hospitals, (e.g., characteristics of the patient population, size of the
hospital/community, scope of services), each hospital will need to adapt this
checklist to meet its unique needs and circumstances." (4)
Attempting to establish and use
one tool of assessment for hospitals in every part of the world may appear to
be unrealistic, but it is a step in the right direction. Note that this
particular model is not the only hospital assessment method, model or tool that
countries around the world can use with respect to isolating patients for the
purpose of infection control related to the H1N1 pandemic, but it is a viable
model for hospital assessment. Additional isolation measures may be required
depending upon the spread of the disease, as well as the severity of the H1N1 virus
infection, in certain parts of the world.
Some hospitals have implemented
various strategies or have developed plans with respect to pandemic flu
control. Their existing strategies or plans may require further development, in
the light of the current H1N1 situation.
The web site suggests that the
web site www.flu.gov can
offer information, not only with regard to the current H1N1 pandemic, but also
with respect to other possible problems in the future.
"An effective plan will
incorporate information from state, regional, tribal and local health
departments, emergency management agencies/authorities, hospital associations
and suppliers of resources." (5)
Consider the magnitude of this
task.
Note that while much of this information is available, hospital
information invariably needs updating, on a regular basis.
"In addition, hospitals
should ensure that their pandemic influenza plans comply with applicable state
and federal regulations and with standards set by accreditation organizations,
such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO)." (6)
This particular checklist,
which can be down loaded or printed out in a PDF format, offers a three-part
assessment consisting of the following sections: structure for planning and
decision-making, development of a written pandemic influenza plan and elements
of an influenza pandemic plan (7)
Hospital assessment needs will
vary from hemisphere to hemisphere, country to country, as well as from
community to community, but many of the areas of concern with regard to
hospitals are the same.
These include surveillance and
detection of the H1N1 virus in hospital personnel, as well as in patients.
Facility access and security are important factors to consider. Education of
hospital personnel, as well as patient management and vaccine administration, are part of the greater picture.
Numerous website addresses on
this checklist, address various concerns like patient isolation, droplet
precautions, masks, personal hygiene, etc. Other advice includes social
distancing and cough etiquette. Of course, there is more involved than
isolation of patients infected with the flu virus.
Note that while this assessment
checklist for hospitals is western hemisphere oriented, it offers a base model
for hospitals located in any part of the world. The implementation of any
hospital assessment program may prove difficult in remote parts of the world.
There may also be resistance to the use of hospital assessment tools. Those who
are involved in hospital administration around the world are encouraged to
examine this hospital assessment method to isolate patients for infection
control. Note that proper isolation of even one patient in a hospital setting
can help prevent the spread of a disease process.
Working as one team around the
globe can help to guarantee success.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
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