[bird flu, PPE] Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers
http://www.docuticker.com/?p=18251 Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers Source: Institute of Medicine/National Academies Press During an influenza pandemic, healthcare workers will be on the front lines delivering care to patients and preventing further spread of the disease. Protecting the more than 13 million healthcare workers in the United States from illness or from infecting their families or the patients in their care is critical to limiting morbidity and mortality and preventing progression of a pandemic. The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to conduct a study on the personal protective equipment (PPE) (respirators, gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other equipment) needed by healthcare workers in the event of an influenza pandemic. The IOM committee determined that there is an urgent need to address the lack of preparedness regarding effective PPE for use in an influenza pandemic. [NB that this refers to PPE of health care workers (HCW) who are exposed more frequently and to more virulent patients.]
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