|
Small Steps in Pandemic Preparedness
 AFSCME's steady criticism of the Bush administration’s national preparedness plan for pandemic influenza is beginning to have an impact. The administration had turned a deaf ear on our demands for effective science-based guidance and requirements. Recently, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued new interim guidance on the use of respirators in health care settings. While still far from adequate, HHS has made some improvements in its recommendations to prevent infection in health care settings.
HHS published its Pandemic Influenza Plan in November 2005. Among its many shortcomings, HHS recommended the use of surgical masks in most situations to prevent infection among health care workers. Unlike respirators, surgical masks are not designed to prevent wearers from inhaling very small infectious particles. HHS only recommended the use of respirators during certain high risk procedures (e.g., bronchoscopy, endotracheal intubation, nebulizer treatment) that may produce a fine mist of infectious particles. In response, AFSCME led an effort with other unions and allies to include comprehensive and effective infection control measures in the plan.
HHS now states that, instead of surgical masks, use of N-95 respirators is “prudent” for direct care activities for patients with confirmed or suspected pandemic influenza. It recommends N-95 respirators or higher levels of protection for high risk situations, and that these procedures be performed in isolation rooms. HHS also clarified methods to minimize the number of people coming into contact with suspected or confirmed cases. The document, Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic, October 2006, can be found at: www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/maskguidancehc.html.
These are modest changes that still fall considerably short of what is needed. The plan only contains recommendations, not requirements. AFSCME will continue to strenuously push for stronger measures to protect workers from emerging as well as existing infectious diseases.
|
 |
.gif)
