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Content about Influenza

December 18, 2009
New Gown Policy Gains Traction in Pandemic Panic

For months we’ve talked about what to do in case of an H1N1 flu pandemic. I’ve discussed the advisability of starting a reusable-isolation-gown policy to help control costs and provide a stable supply to hospitals if there were such a pandemic. Everyone thought this was a good idea but was unwilling to commit the organization.

May 27, 2009
Taking Special Measures Unnecessary in Face of Increasing H1N1 Flu Reports

RICHMOND, Ky. — While healthcare management personnel grapple with their responses should the H1N1 (swine) flu impact their facilities, it’s business as usual for laundry directors and managers, according to the Association for Linen Management (ALM).

May 1, 2009
Organizations Provide Guidance on Meeting Challenge of Swine Flu Pandemic

With news of the influenza A (H1N1) infection, AKA “swine flu,” spreading faster than the illness itself, it might be easy to overlook how prepared for pandemic flu the laundry industry might be. After a public scare over the avian flu, many hospitals and other healthcare facilities are better equipped for such an outbreak than public perception might indicate.

May 22, 2007
OSHA's New Pandemic Flu Guideline for Healthcare Workers Includes Linen Handling

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has unveiled new safety and health guidance that will help healthcare workers and their employers prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.

The agency released Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers on Monday.

January 26, 2007
In the Event of a Flu Pandemic, What's Your Plan?

Last month, I provided some background about what you might expect to happen in a pandemic flu. This month, I’m going to discuss what a “Pandemic Flu Response Plan” related to healthcare laundries should include to be effective.

The first thing is a statement recognizing the essential nature of clean linens in providing patient care.

December 7, 2006
Traditional Backup Plans Will Be of No Use in Pandemic

A number of my customers have been asking if I have a response plan to a pandemic flu. While I’d been following the avian flu scare that has been circulating the globe, I had to admit that I hadn’t developed a specific “Pandemic Flu Response Policy.”

My first step in developing such a plan was to do a little research on the Internet. I started by visiting PandemicFlu.gov, a website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and found the following material.