Government Prepares for H1N1 Resurgence, Requests Hospitals to Complete Ventilator Survey - August 14, 2009

Concerned that the impending flu season could result in a resurgence of the H1N1 virus, government agencies are ramping up their flu preparation efforts. In the last several weeks, the CDC has issued H1N1 vaccination recommendations and the Department of Education and the CDC released school closure guidelines. The CDC is currently considering whether to revise its H1N1 guidelines for health care workers—the current guidelines require the use of respirators; however, the agency is considering permitting the use of surgical masks instead. In addition, the HHS Office of Preparedness has contracted with the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) to perform an inventory of mechanical ventilators in the nation’s hospitals. NAPH members should have received a survey from the AARC. The AARC is requesting that hospitals respond to the survey by August 30.