FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE:
CONTACT:
October 1,
2009 Catherine
Bromberg
781-262-6027
Statement from the Massachusetts Hospital Association regarding H1N1 and seasonal flu concerns:
Massachusetts hospitals have joined other entities including municipal governments, colleges, universities and public schools to address the issues surrounding H1N1 flu within our specific sectors. More importantly, we are all working collaboratively with the Department of Public Health to anticipate and address the flu in an effort that is unprecedented in terms of collaboration, communication, transparency and timeliness.
Just a few examples of what hospitals are doing to anticipate and - we hope - to diminish the impact of H1N1 in the Bay State include:
- Hospitals are serving as hubs for receipt, storage and dissemination
of the H1N1 vaccine, as well as the requisite record-keeping to apprise
DPH on vaccination rates. Hospitals throughout the state have also
agreed to assume broader vaccine distribution responsibilities if
needed. We expect DPH to identify any hospitals needed for this
additional duty by October 15, and stand ready to assist.
- In addition to taking care of the ill, hospitals have committed to
vaccinating their own staff and patients, and where feasible to
collaborate with schools and boards of health to help vaccinate their
communities. While any healthcare worker can decline such vaccinations,
all Massachusetts hospitals and long-term care facilities are offering
both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines to their employees and – in tandem
with our nursing colleagues – encouraging vaccination. We all want
to ensure that our hospitals have a sufficient health workforce to care
for those who do become ill with flu.
- DPH has issued helpful guidance and public information regarding
when to stay home and when to call a physician, but we know that many
patients will still come to their hospital’s Emergency Department
to get their questions answered or to seek reassurance. We share
DPH’s concern about potential overcrowding in hospital EDs, and
are working with the state on several approaches. These include:
o Establishment of appropriate alternate space to accommodate a surge in patients requiring influenza screening;
o Reduction or elimination of boarding in hospital EDs;
o Activation of the “Code Help” protocol defined by DPH in the event that an ED becomes saturated. “Code help” is an internal hospital policy to re-deploy staff and resources to expedite the movement of admitted patients out of the ED.
o Hospitals will also consider cancelling or rescheduling elective surgeries and admissions if influenza cases surge.
As we have since the H1N1 flu first surfaced last spring, MHA will continue to work closely with DPH and our member hospitals to field their questions and concerns, to develop informed public policy, coordinate conference calls, and to facilitate the timely resolution of issues as they arise.
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