Database of Health Workforce Innovations
585
Recommendations for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster
During disasters staffing may be limited due to staff absenteeism, illness and closure of child care facilities. Planning to coordinate and increase staff is necessary for continued and expanded ICU care. The number of trained staff is the dominant rate-limiting step to increasing surge capacity.
The following recommendations are offered:
- increasing intensivists and expanded practice for non-critical care personnel
- manpower expansion should include adequate psychosocial and family support and adequate rest and support
- The following groups may be able to provide staff to work in the ICU: medical and nursing staff, respiratory care practitioners/therapists, pharmacists, administrators,
ancillary staff (assistants, transport, social services, clergy, housekeeping, clerks), support therapists (occupational, physical and speech), clinical infectious disease and microbiology laboratory support, radiology, surgical and other equipment specialists, infection control and health care epidemiologists, dieticians, volunteers, retirees and physical and environmental support.
- The scope of practice for non-critical care personnel should be expanded to provide critical care. These personnel may include hospital-based specialists, primary care physicians, surgical sub-specialists, medical/surgical nurses, respiratory therapists, medical and nursing students, veterinarians, dentists and other health professionals.
- Only clinical staff should provide care to patients. Credentialing and training should be provided by the hospital in coordination with regulatory authorities.
- Staffing needs (housing, food, family support and childcare) and appropriate protective measures (vaccinations, protective equipment and antivirals) along with the appropriate training should be provided.
- increasing intensivists and expanded practice for non-critical care personnel
- manpower expansion should include adequate psychosocial and family support and adequate rest and support
- The following groups may be able to provide staff to work in the ICU: medical and nursing staff, respiratory care practitioners/therapists, pharmacists, administrators,
ancillary staff (assistants, transport, social services, clergy, housekeeping, clerks), support therapists (occupational, physical and speech), clinical infectious disease and microbiology laboratory support, radiology, surgical and other equipment specialists, infection control and health care epidemiologists, dieticians, volunteers, retirees and physical and environmental support.
- The scope of practice for non-critical care personnel should be expanded to provide critical care. These personnel may include hospital-based specialists, primary care physicians, surgical sub-specialists, medical/surgical nurses, respiratory therapists, medical and nursing students, veterinarians, dentists and other health professionals.
- Only clinical staff should provide care to patients. Credentialing and training should be provided by the hospital in coordination with regulatory authorities.
- Staffing needs (housing, food, family support and childcare) and appropriate protective measures (vaccinations, protective equipment and antivirals) along with the appropriate training should be provided.
- Return of retirees
- Licensure flexibility
- Back-up solutions for absenteeism
- Back-fill solutions for staff moving to front-lines
- Cross-sector staff deployments
- Rapid upskilling/reskilling existing and available workers (eg. laid off)
- Longer term upskilling/reskilling other workers
- Alternative deployments for health workers whose normal duties are temporarily suspended
- Cross-sector deployment
- Expanded roles
- Provision of child care services for front-line workers
- Housing for front-line workers
- Home support for front-line workers
- Dental Providers
- Medical Imaging Workers
- Medical Laboratory Technologists
- Nurse Practitioners*
- Nurse Specialists*
- Nurses - Licensed Practical
- Nurses - Registered
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Physicians - Emergency
- Physicians - Intensive Care
- Physicians - Primary/Family
- Physicians - Specialists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Speech/Language Pathologists
- Students
- Volunteers
- Other Health Care Workers
European Society of Intensive Care Medicine established a Task Force for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Triage during an Influenza Epidemic or Mass Disaster to develop recommendations and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This review provides the recommendations and SOPs of the Task Force focusing on the ICU and H1N1.
- Critical Care
- Hospitals
Research Intervention - outcome data available
Sprung, C. L., et al. (2010). Recommendations for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster. Intensive Care Medicine, 36(3), 428-443
C.L. Sprung
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
General Intensive Care Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center
Europe (non-UK)
Israel