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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
09:36
Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Pandemic influenza and excess intensive-care workload
Raoul E Nap1, Maarten P H M Andriessen, Nico E L Meessen
1University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. r.e.nap@rvb.umcg.nl
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|October 2, 2008
Summary
Pandemic preparedness in the Netherlands ensures essential services by estimating healthcare worker needs, including absenteeism, to maintain hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) capacity for all patients.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Preparedness planning for epidemics/pandemics in the Netherlands focuses on maintaining essential public services.
- Key personnel include police, fire departments, army, and healthcare workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate peak demand for healthcare workers during a pandemic.
- To assess the impact of absenteeism on healthcare capacity.
- To evaluate strategies for increasing healthcare worker availability.
Main Methods:
- Utilized published epidemiologic models for pandemic influenza evolution.
- Incorporated estimates of healthcare worker absenteeism.
- Analyzed various published scenarios to determine increased workforce availability.
Main Results:
- Even during peak pandemic, all patients needing hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admission can be accommodated.
- This includes patients with non-influenza-related conditions.
- Task differentiation, clear management, communication, and discipline are crucial.
Conclusions:
- The Dutch healthcare system can manage peak pandemic demands.
- Training non-ICU staff for ICU duties is recommended.
- Effective management strategies are vital for pandemic response.
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