Personal protective equipment and antiviral drug use during hospitalization for suspected avian or pandemic influenza.

2007-10-01

Swaminathan, Ashwin

Martin, Rhea D

Gamon, Sandi

Aboltins, Craig A

Athan, Eugene

Braitberg, George

Catton, Michael G

Cooley, Louise

Dwyer, Dominic E

Edmonds, Deidre

Eisen, Damon P

Hosking, Kelly

Hughes, Andrew J

Johnson, Paul D R

Maclean, Andrew V

O'Reilly, Mary

Peters, S Erica

Stuart, Rhonda L

Moran, Rodney

Grayson, M Lindsay

Journal Article

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10.3201/eid1310.070033

For pandemic influenza planning, realistic estimates of personal protective equipment (PPE) and antiviral medication required for hospital healthcare workers (HCWs) are vital. In this simulation study, a patient with suspected avian or pandemic influenza (API) sought treatment at 9 Australian hospital emergency departments where patient-staff interactions during the first 6 hours of hospitalization were observed. Based on World Health Organization definitions and guidelines, the mean number of "close contacts" of the API patient was 12.3 (range 6-17; 85% HCWs); mean "exposures" were 19.3 (range 15-26). Overall, 20-25 PPE sets were required per patient, with variable HCW compliance for wearing these items (93% N95 masks, 77% gowns, 83% gloves, and 73% eye protection). Up to 41% of HCW close contacts would have qualified for postexposure antiviral prophylaxis. These data indicate that many current national stockpiles of PPE and antiviral medication are likely inadequate for a pandemic.

link

Emerging Infectious Diseases; 13(10): 1541-7

Emerging Infectious Diseases