H1N1 (Swine Flu) Resources and Updates

Updated December 22, 2010

 Licensure, Evaluation, and Adverse Event Monitoring of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine  (11/18/09)
This issue brief, created by the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC, describes the licensing process for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine and the surveillance systems used to monitor adverse events.

 Quick Facts for Clinicians on Antiviral Treatments for 2009 H1N1 (11/9/09)
This CDC document lists some of the key facts to consider when deciding if a patient needs to be treated with antiviral medications.

Studies Suggest N-95 and Surgical Masks Offer Equal H1N1 Protection 
Australian researchers have retracted their recommendation that heath care workers treating H1N1 patients should use N95 respirators.

 Public Guidance Regarding Emergency Department Use for H1N1 Flu Symptoms  (10/15/09)Guidance from the American College of Emergency Physicians on seeking emergency care for flu-like symptoms.

ACEP Resources:

 Siguen Incrementándose los Casos de H1N1 a Nivel Nacional - Los Médicos de Emergencia Llevan a CAabo una Campaña para Dar a Conocer al Público Cuándo Deben Buscar Ayuda de Emergencia - Comunicado de Prensa  
Una Nueva Encuesta Revela qua Cerca del 90 Por Ciento de los Médicos de Emergencia Están Preocupados por la Capacidad de las Salas de Emergencia para Atender a Pacientes Adicionales de la Gripe

 CDC Q and A on 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine 
Get answers to your questions concerning the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine.

 Webinar: Overview of The National Strategic Plan for Emergency Department Management of Outbreaks of Novel H1N1 Influenza 

 H1N1 National Strategic Plan   
This plan was developed to define critical capabilities and suggest high-level actions to achieve them.

 Influenza Pandemic Emergency Preparedness – Waiver of Certain Medicare Requirements  
Provisions for temporarily waiving EMTALA duty under a disaster scenario (as opposed to H1N1) were included in the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-417).

 FAQ’s for Emergency Departments in Epidemic or Pandemic Influenza Outbreaks 
Developed by ACEP’s H1N1 (Swine Flu) Guidance Review Team
(PDF version)

 Submit your questions and best practice documents to ACEP's Guidance Review Team 

 Best Practices for Hospital Preparedness  
Developed by the Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee, this document was approved by the ACEP Board in April 2009.

 Respiratory Hygiene in the Emergency Department 
Published in Annals of Emergency Medicine November 2006, this article was written by ACEP’s Public Health Committee.

 Congressional Testimony on Fighting Pandemic Flu 
ACEP Board member David C. Seaberg testified in February 2006 before the House Committee on Homeland Security on "Protecting the Homeland: Fighting Pandemic Flu from the Front Lines." A corresponding  press release  summarizes his testimony.

 Lessons Learned from the SARS Epidemic 
This article was published in the ACEP Section of Disaster Medicine newsletter, July 2003

 ASPR Influenza Surge Preparedness Assesment 
This project was originally supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Grants and Training.

Related ACEP Policy Statements
 Disaster Planning and Response  -- Approved June 2008
 Emergency Department Utilization During Outbreaks of Influenza  -- Approved November 2004
 Immunization of Adults and Children in the Emergency Department  – Approved January 2008

CDC 

 CDC Q and A on 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine 

 Preliminary Research and Reports from H1N1 Vaccine Trials 

 H1N1Flu (Swine Flu) 

Links to CDC Guidance:

 Treatment Guidance
 Antiviral Recommendations 
 Facemask and Respirator Use
 Reducing Risks in the Community (Community Mitigation) 
 Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of Medical Products 

 Clinician Guidance for Specific Audiences Patients With Cardiovascular Disease 
 HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents 
 Pregnant Women
 Young Children
 Day and Residential Camps in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus 
 
Screening & Specimen Collection Use of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests 
 Guidelines for the Submission of Tissue Specimens for the Pathologic Evaluation of Influenza Virus Infections
 Case Definitions for Investigations of Cases
 Screening in Regions with Few or no Reported Cases 
 Specimen Collection, Processing, and Testing for Suspected Infection 
 Biosafety Guidelines for Lab Workers  

Other Helpful Links:

•  Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A 
•  New England Journal of Medicine H1N1 Influenza Center 
•  Mass Medical Care with Scare Resources -- A February 2007 publication from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
•  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report -- Includes H1N1 Flu Updates
•  World Health Organization 
•  Guidance for Establishing Crisis Standards of Care for Use in Disaster Situations 
  This Institute of Medicine report can be used by state and local health agencies and health care facilities for the development of standards of care that should apply during disaster situations.
•  CDC Update: Pediatric Antiviral Dosing Syringe and Compounding Information for 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu 
  If there is a shortage of antivirals due to an increase in influenza activity, pharmacists and physicians who care for pediatric patients may have to compound Tamiflu® on site and ensure that the units of measure on the dosing dispenser and the dosing instructions match.