Flu Prevention and Preparedness Information for EMS

Flu Prevention and Preparedness Information

The National Strategic Plan for Emergency Department Management of Outbreaks of Novel H1N1 Influenza is available to you for immediate dissemination to your members and stakeholders in emergency care. Public health officials and virology researchers are predicting the next wave of Novel H1N1 may arrive as early as September. The common wisdom is that its virulence is not predictable, but it is expected to be highly transmissible and will thus place added strains on the emergency care system.

Healthcare entities, especially those that provide un-gated care such as emergency departments, are strongly urged to begin planning now for how they will respond to this outbreak. This plan was developed to define critical capabilities and suggest high-level actions to achieve the capabilities. It is intended to serve as guidance as you perform operational and tactical planning appropriate to your community and your institution.

Thank you for your assistance in providing this material to your constituency.

Jeffrey W. Runge, MD, FACEP

Chair H1N1 Expert Panel

American College of Emergency Physicians

The following links are additional resources regarding planning and preparedness activities associated with the H1N1 flu.

Association Resources

NAEMT - What EMS Practitioners need to know about Swine Flu  

NAEMT - GUIDELINES FOR DECONTAMINING EMS TRANSPORT VEHICLES 

FAQ’s for Emergency Departments in Epidemic or Pandemic Influenza Outbreaks 

Federal Government Resources

NHTSA Office of EMS 

EMS and Non-Emergent (Medical) Transport Organizations Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist 

CDC Swine Flu Investigation Page

CDC Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)