[A simulation exercise in a flu clinic]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Highly pathogenic influenza pandemics pose significant public health threats.
• Effective ambulatory care management is crucial during pandemics.
• Dedicated consultation centers (CCDs) are proposed for pandemic response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the management and provision of ambulatory care in a simulated pandemic setting.
• To identify organizational issues in a dedicated
• flu clinic

Main Methods:

• A simulation exercise was conducted in a school repurposed as a
• flu clinic
• in Paris.
• Three practitioners treated nursing students acting as patients for two hours.

Main Results:

• Staff demonstrated an inability to manage the center and perform patient transfers.
• Inconsistent use of face masks by both healthcare professionals and patients was observed.
• Limited communication occurred between professionals within the clinic.

Conclusions:

• The simulation highlighted major organizational deficiencies in the
• flu clinic
• model.
• Further large-scale and longer-duration exercises are recommended to improve effectiveness.
• Significant improvements are required to ensure functional pandemic preparedness.