Money Matters, Simplified.
U.S. 's response to H1N1 outbreak good: Report
by Camilla Abad - June 6, 2009 - comments
The report gives positive feedback on the United States' response to the H1N1 outbreak but also noted the country's shortcoming in health care
Washington, June 6: The United States’ response to the H1N1 epidemic has been dubbed as good in a recent report; however, it also revealed how the country’s health care system could be overwhelmed if more severe outbreaks occur.
The report called “Pandemic Flu: Lessons from the Frontlines” commended the nation’s officials but also revealed that despite the strengths they possess, there may still be shortcomings which need to be addressed.
Jeff Levi, executive director of the non-profit organization Trust for America’s Health, stated, "It's clear that all of our pandemic planning and preparation have improved the nation's ability to respond to an outbreak, but H1N1 did not test the limits of our response.
“If, in the future, we face a situation with a large number of Americans becoming ill and flooding into hospitals and health-care facilities, our system could be overwhelmed."
The nation’s strengths
One of the strengths identified in the report is the nation’s investment in stocking antiviral medication and preparedness for any possible pandemic flu. This, according to Levi, “really paid off”.
However, the H1N1 virus strain was different from the flu pandemic that was expected. Dr. David Fleming, director of public health for Seattle and King County, Wash., said, "Most of the planning was for a severe form of influenza [avian flu] for which we would have six weeks' notice because it emerges in the Far East.
“We were wrong on two counts. The swine flu was of normal virulence and we had no warning. In the first couple of days, we were adhering to our plan with policies and procedures that did not match the severity of the strain."
This experience produced a valuable lesson which the report identified. The country’s health care system should be ready to any situation and not remain focused on what they project to happen.
Another strength which the report highlighted is the strong coordination and communication of the nation’s officials.
Dr. Scott Lillibridge, executive director of the National Center for Emergency Medical Preparedness and Response, stated, "This was clearly the top priority in managing and controlling this outbreak -- I give them [public health officials] high marks.”
The nation’s shortcomings
Aside from the strengths, the report also revealed shortcomings with the response to the outbreak.
It stated how public health care systems are lacking in personnel and that officials should consider the effect of the outbreak on work and school.
Recommendations
In conclusion, the report gave 10 recommendations which could help the nation in overcoming any future outbreaks similar to the H1N1 pandemic.
Two of these recommendations are vaccinating all citizens of the country and improving the health care facilities’ ability to accommodate a surge of patients.