Serious geopolitical and social forces are converging to create the conditions, on a scale unique in history, for a major respiratory pandemic. Prioritizing the protection of healthcare workers will be key to containing such a pandemic.
Protection of healthcare workers is key to containing and managing respiratory pandemics. Serious geopolitical and social forces are converging to create the conditions, on a scale unique in history, for a major respiratory pandemic. When dealing with an outbreak of respiratory infection, the focus is on understanding disease transmission, and ensuring that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available and properly utilised by all at-risk staff. Few hospitals - let alone the broader responder community - are adequately equipped and ready to respond to a major respiratory pandemic. In such a global crisis, the success of controlling such an outbreak in the initial phase will rely on the health and preparedness of healthcare teams.
Prioritising protection of healthcare workers from primary to regional hospitals can ensure a resilient frontline defense, and, in a respiratory outbreak the correct use of respiratory PPE is central to healthcare worker protection. Recent experience of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), 2002 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2015, highlighted the vulnerabilities around use and supply shortages of disposable respirators.
Commentators and industry experts are advising infection control teams to examine their PPE procedures and evaluate new re-useable respiratory protection devices in their preparations to protect staff and contain and manage an imminent public health crisis.
Sponsored by:
CleanSpace® Health & Safety is a specialist in design and manufacture of advanced personal respiratory protection equipment. CleanSpace Respirators are the lightest and smallest powered respirators in the world delivering high protection, comfort and cost effective respiratory protection solutions. Developed by leading biomedical engineers from the medical device industry who are specialists in positive pressure airflow control and mask design, CleanSpace respirators conform to the highest standards in safety, quality and reliability. For more information www.cleanspacetechnology.com/healthusa
Balancing Freedom and Safety: When Public Health Mandates Are Necessary
January 9th 2025Public health mandates, such as lockdowns, masking, and vaccination, balance liberty and safety, ensuring critical protections during pandemics like COVID-19 while fostering long-term survival through science.
Avian Flu Risks in Veterinary Practice: Protecting Those on the Frontlines
January 6th 2025Veterinarians, technicians, and veterinarian infection preventionists face risks from H5N1 avian flu when handling farm animals or exposed wildlife. Learn key prevention strategies, PPE recommendations, and emerging challenges.
Understanding the True Threat: Richard Webby, PhD, on H5N1 Avian Flu and Its Human Impact
January 3rd 2025Richard Webby, PhD, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre or Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds, discusses the evolving dynamics of H5N1 avian flu, its variants, and the low risk to humans while emphasizing vigilance among health care professionals.
Addressing Post-COVID Challenges: The Urgent Need for Enhanced Hospital Reporting Metrics
December 18th 2024Explore why CMS must expand COVID-19, influenza, and RSV reporting to include hospital-onset infections, health care worker cases, and ER trends, driving proactive prevention and patient safety.