New hospital preparedness resource available

NYC Health + Hospitals has published a to help hospitals and health systems plan and train for emerging infectious disease threats, and customize their plans specific to their unique clinical, operational and financial needs. 鈥淎ll hospitals must be prepared to identify and isolate a patient presenting with a suspected special pathogen infection (i.e., one that is particularly virulent and requires care processes and personal protective equipment beyond daily infection control practices) and inform internal and external stakeholders,鈥 the guide states. 鈥淭his document provides high-level planning guidance for a frontline hospital multidisciplinary team 鈥 to support planning and training for the provision of initial care to such patients while determining whether and when the patient will be transferred to another facility for further assessment and treatment.鈥 In a recent Readiness Advisory, AHA urged hospitals to become familiar with the and understand their facility鈥檚 designated role as part of the network.