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http://www.canada.com/H1N1+guidelines+health+workers+from+feds/1962258/story.html
H1N1 guidelines on way to health workers from feds
Concern remains that hospitals may be overwhelmed
By Meagan Fitzpatrick, Canwest News ServiceSeptember 4, 2009
Frontline health-care workers can expect new guidelines from the federal government in the coming weeks on how to cope with the expected second wave of the swine flu pandemic, following a two-day conference that heard repeated concerns about the readiness of hospitals.
Chief public health officer Dr. David Butler-Jones said Thursday the information shared over the course of the meetings would help inform the guidance that is also being developed in consultation with First Nations, provincial and territorial health authorities.
The guidance document, which Butler-Jones said would contain a "truly pan-Canadian approach" will include recommendations on how health-care workers can protect themselves, how to diagnose and treat severe cases and how to handle a surge of hospitalizations.
"Over the past two days we've heard some strategic recommendations on these issues presented to health authorities. We looked at gaps and how best we can fill them," Butler-Jones said at a news conference.
One of the major gaps that was focused on at the conference was the ability of hospitals to handle a big increase of patients and the planning to facilitate the sharing of personnel and equipment among jurisdictions.
The swine flu virus has been mild in most cases. But some Canadians, young patients in particular, have become severely ill and required intensive care in the hospital.
Many were hooked to ventilators, often for a prolonged period. Seventy-two deaths have been linked to the virus since the pandemic began in April.
If the second wave hits harder than the first, hospitals -- and their intensive care units especially -- could be overwhelmed. Some of the concerns that have been expressed are around the availability of beds, ventilators, pharmaceuticals and staffing shortages.
"We know that intensive care units are already running at near or full capacity so surge capacity needs to be addressed as we develop the guidance we're working on," said Butler-Jones.
He urged hospitals to "catch up" and get their plans in place if they didn't do so over the summer.
? Copyright (c) Canwest News Service
H1N1 guidelines on way to health workers from feds
Concern remains that hospitals may be overwhelmed
By Meagan Fitzpatrick, Canwest News ServiceSeptember 4, 2009
Frontline health-care workers can expect new guidelines from the federal government in the coming weeks on how to cope with the expected second wave of the swine flu pandemic, following a two-day conference that heard repeated concerns about the readiness of hospitals.
Chief public health officer Dr. David Butler-Jones said Thursday the information shared over the course of the meetings would help inform the guidance that is also being developed in consultation with First Nations, provincial and territorial health authorities.
The guidance document, which Butler-Jones said would contain a "truly pan-Canadian approach" will include recommendations on how health-care workers can protect themselves, how to diagnose and treat severe cases and how to handle a surge of hospitalizations.
"Over the past two days we've heard some strategic recommendations on these issues presented to health authorities. We looked at gaps and how best we can fill them," Butler-Jones said at a news conference.
One of the major gaps that was focused on at the conference was the ability of hospitals to handle a big increase of patients and the planning to facilitate the sharing of personnel and equipment among jurisdictions.
The swine flu virus has been mild in most cases. But some Canadians, young patients in particular, have become severely ill and required intensive care in the hospital.
Many were hooked to ventilators, often for a prolonged period. Seventy-two deaths have been linked to the virus since the pandemic began in April.
If the second wave hits harder than the first, hospitals -- and their intensive care units especially -- could be overwhelmed. Some of the concerns that have been expressed are around the availability of beds, ventilators, pharmaceuticals and staffing shortages.
"We know that intensive care units are already running at near or full capacity so surge capacity needs to be addressed as we develop the guidance we're working on," said Butler-Jones.
He urged hospitals to "catch up" and get their plans in place if they didn't do so over the summer.
? Copyright (c) Canwest News Service