Bhaskar, RK and Somu, G and Sirohi, Aaditya (2009) Hospital Role In Facing Pandemic Situations-2009 H1n1 Swine Flu. Journal of Biosciencs.

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Abstract

More communities are being affected by 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in the winter months of 2009 than during the summer months of 2009. Seasonal influenza viruses may also cause illness, possibly at the same time that swine flu virus outbreaks are occurring. Influenza-A virus was the most common cause of human influenza (flu) in 2009. In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new strain of swine origin H1N1 as pandemic. This novel virus spread worldwide and caused about 17,000 deaths by the start of 2010. Although the severity, amount and timing of illness that H1N1 influenza and seasonal influenza will cause are uncertain, some people will require medical care as a result of their influenza virus infections. In view of these and other uncertainties, healthcare facilities will need to be ready to adjust their pandemic plans as dictated by changing conditions. Detailed standard operating protocols support the Guiding Principles and address the broad spectrum of operational issues and the challenges of coordinated international outbreak response. Preparedness to face pandemic situations by hospitals & healthcare establishments is vital in trying to control & mitigate the spread of the disease. This paper shares the experience of a tertiary care hospital in facing the pandemic (H1N1) by making available the necessary infrastructure and implementing standardized guidelines and protocols thereby helping district health authorities of the state in addressing the scare Swine flu virus within the district. The practical difficulties and advantages in facing swine flu scare have also been discussed. People were educated about the disease to prevent panic and screening of patients was done in camps. Hospital had to make changes by revising visitors’ policy, using limited access plans and procedures. The results showed that an estimated 11,000 people with flu like symptoms were screened for the virus during the period of which 80 patients tested positive for swine flu. 8 patients diagnosed for swine flu expired.

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