Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza in Nursing Homes: A 2-State Survey
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To the Editor: An influenza pandemic would be expected to have major social and economic consequences. Hospital bed capacity may be quickly overwhelmed in an influenza pandemic,1 and government plans are looking at alternate care sites.2 Nursing homes care for a very vulnerable population and may be expected to help with hospital patient overflow.3-4 The extent of influenza pandemic preparedness in nursing homes is largely unknown.5
Methods
All 656 state health department–registered nursing homes were identified in 2 states chosen as a convenience sample: Nebraska (n = 231) and Michigan (n = 425). A questionnaire to assess their pandemic preparedness was developed with input from various stakeholders and mailed to the directors of nursing in June 2007 with a follow-up mailing in July 2007. The questionnaire was designed to gather demographic data and information on aspects of influenza preparedness. Data on antiviral medications and ownership status were collected only from Michigan nursing homes. Categorical data . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Philip W. Smith, MD
pwsmith@unmc.edu
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
Valerie Shostrom, MS
College of Public Health
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha
Al Smith, BA
Nebraska Center for Biopreparedness Education
Omaha
Michael Kaufmann, BS
Division of Geriatrics
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor
Lona Mody, MD, MSc
Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center
Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System
Ann Arbor
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Gerald Choon-Huat Koh, Judy Sng, and David Koh
JAMA. 2008;300(20):2366-2367.
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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Nursing Homes During an Influenza Pandemic
Koh et al.
JAMA 2008;300:2366-2367.
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