Preparing for swine flu: 10 questions that all nurses need to ask themselves.
Human swine flu is spreading rapidly and it is timely to reflect on how well we as individuals are prepared for a pandemic. Being prepared includes nurses not only being confident they have a mask that fits but also being practised at putting on and removing personal protective equipment safely. It also involves being familiar with the latest guidance from the Department of Health, having an understanding of the processes in their workplace and an appreciation of some of the ethical challenges if numbers of affected patients overwhelm the health system's resources. This article suggests staff ask themselves 10 questions to assess their level of preparedness.
Emergency Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
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D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines