Preparedness for influenza pandemic in Hong Kong nursing units.
BACKGROUND
To present preparedness planning for an influenza pandemic for two nursing subunits: nursing services in hospitals and schools of nursing in universities.


CONCLUSIONS
The preparedness plan is modeled on a modified Haddon matrix, a logical approach to identify measures appropriate for the pre-event, event, and postevent phases of an influenza pandemic. For the pre-event phase, the objective is to ensure preparedness for the potential pandemic outbreak through training, communication, surveillance, infection control, and vaccination. Once the pandemic outbreak is declared, the aim is to implement effective measures to ensure a rapid and appropriate response. For the postevent phase, the plan is focused on the restoration of core functions, vigilance for a second or possibly more waves of the pandemic, and psychosocial support to staff and students.


CONCLUSIONS
Measures required to prepare for, respond to, and manage the consequences of influenza pandemic are identified. This planning indicates the need to balance a logical approach with contextual perspectives and the importance for nursing leaders to develop plans for subunits of larger entities.
Tiwari
Agnes
A
Department of Nursing Studies, The University of Hong Kong. afytiwar@hkucc.hku.hk
Tarrant
Marie
M
Yuen
Kwan Hok
KH
Chan
Sophia
S
Kagan
Sarah
S
Ching
Patricia
P
Wong
Alan
A
Wong
Samson S Y
SS
D003142:Communication; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012579:Schools, Nursing