Readiness exercise to combat avian influenza.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Disease Preparedness
• Healthcare Simulation
• Public Health Security

Background:

• Avian influenza poses a significant pandemic threat.
• Hospitals require robust readiness protocols for emerging infectious diseases.
• Assessing healthcare worker adherence to infection control is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate hospital preparedness for an avian influenza pandemic.
• To identify potential breaches in infection control during a simulated outbreak.
• To assess the effectiveness of simulation exercises in pandemic readiness.

Main Methods:

• Developed and implemented simulation case scenarios involving trained volunteers acting as patients.
• Auditors assessed adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolation procedures.
• Quarantine orders and negative-pressure isolation were utilized during the exercise.

Main Results:

• 324 healthcare workers and 84 administrators participated in the hospital-wide exercise.
• While most staff were competent, breaches in PPE and isolation occurred among students and attendants.
• The simulation successfully identified specific areas needing reinforcement in infection control.

Conclusions:

• Case simulation is an effective method for assessing hospital readiness.
• Simulation exercises can pinpoint vulnerabilities in infection control procedures.
• Regular simulations are recommended for maintaining pandemic preparedness.