Are you prepared for Avian Flu?

I have been wondering about these odd outbreaks of pneumonias and such also. In Canada, middle aged and young adults coming down with pneumonias normally seen in the elderly, what's with that?

There are nurses and HCWs on all of the various flu blogs, I have noticed, and, I am wondering if we might put our collective knowledge together and do some planning and sharing of information. As individuals our voices may not be heard, but as a group, we may be able to make a difference towards national and international preparation in nursing care. Let us look at the various problems that we have begun to foresee, and make some contingency plans for our communities. To begin with, we must assume that even if H5N1 does not become pandemic, some other virus will, just because this is the nature of influenza A. We know it is not a matter of if, but rather it is a matter of when. This is the reality, based on our history, and nothing has occurred that will alter this event. The belief or disbelief of anyone who reads this has no bearing on what will happen. We can not wish it away. So, start with the admission that this is a given. Therefore, we absolutely must begin preparations for dealing with mass casualties, and hold our lawmakers to task for closing healthcare facilities during this God given time for preparation. There are so many, many issues that beg to be addressed.

This is exactly what I am seeing with some state pandemic flu plans. There is no guidance just this announcement that they will be utilizing community nurses and and long term care facilities to take the patients that hospitals can not. I want to know more about this. I guess that I am saying that maybe nursing needs to be involved in this planning. Hello! Who is making the plans for us? Shouldn't we be involved?

I worked last nite, and my body wants to sleep! I am going to think about all of this over the weekend and consider a few things.

This was just posted at Flutrackers (thanks, Florida 1, you're the best!), and I think it is germane to the discussion especially as I see that NURSES are involved in this:


Providing Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources:
A Community Planning Guide


http://www.ahrq.gov/research/mce/mceguide.pdf