New hospital preparedness resource available

NYC Health + Hospitals has published a guide to help hospitals and health systems plan and train for emerging infectious disease threats, and customize their plans specific to their unique clinical, operational and financial needs. “All hospitals must be prepared to identify and isolate a patient presenting with a suspected special pathogen infection (i.e., one that is particularly virulent and requires care processes and personal protective equipment beyond daily infection control practices) and inform internal and external stakeholders,” the guide states. “This document provides high-level planning guidance for a frontline hospital multidisciplinary team … to support planning and training for the provision of initial care to such patients while determining whether and when the patient will be transferred to another facility for further assessment and treatment.” In a recent Readiness Advisory, AHA urged hospitals to become familiar with the U.S. Regional Treatment Network for Ebola and Other Special Pathogens and understand their facility’s designated role as part of the network.