How have local health care organizations prepared for a pandemic flu epidemic?
St. John’s and other area health care providers have participated in pandemic flu readiness exercises led by the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. These exercises test the community’s ability to distribute vaccine from the national strategic stockpile. St. John’s, through our flu readiness committee, works with the health department and other area hospitals to prepare for flu season each year. St. John’s has also stockpiled personal protective equipment such as gowns, face masks and gloves to ensure that our caregivers will be protected and feel comfortable taking care of sick patients. St. John’s hospitals have also devised a plan to care for patients with a potentially reduced work force and are continually working on ways to improve vaccination rates among our staff to prevent the spread of flu – both seasonal and the novel H1N1 strain. How can I keep from getting sick? You can protect yourself from H1N1, seasonal flu and other viruses by getting vaccinated and diligently
