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Flu Pandemic May Cripple US Hospitals, Alternate Care Centres Not Prepared ANN ARBOR, Mich -- July 22, 2008 -- A new study suggests that if an influenza pandemic hits the United States and nursing homes are expected to assist with the patient overflow from hospitals, many are not prepared for the task. The study is published in the July 23 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Of the more than 400 nursing homes included in the study, only 23% had a specific pandemic influenza plan. Another quarter had a pandemic response incorporated into an overall disaster response plan, and 52% did not have any pandemic plan. "If nursing homes are called upon to serve as alternative care centres for patients who can't be treated in overcrowded hospitals, the impact on the nursing homes could be vast," said lead author Philip W. Smith, MD, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. "Nursing homes may not be equipped to handle an influx of influenza as well as noninfluenza patients. They may also be unwilling to accept overflow patients, if it means displacing their current residents," said senior author Lona Mody, MD, University of Michigan Health System and Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan. "Specific areas for improvement include communication with nearby health departments and hospitals at planning stage and exercising formulated plans. Planning for staff shortages is also critical," said Dr. Mody. Half of the nursing homes in the study had stockpiled some commonly used supplies such as gloves and hand hygiene products. Less than half had provided pandemic education to staff members. Just 6% had conducted pandemic influenza outbreak exercises. In more optimistic findings, 77% of all Michigan and Nebraska nursing homes had a person or staff position designated as being responsible for pandemic preparedness. Access to laboratory facilities for the detection of influenza was available at 84% of these nursing homes. Another 71% provide mental health and/or faith-based services. SOURCE: University of Michigan Health System E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version