How would Australian hospital staff react to an avian influenza admission, or an influenza pandemic?
Objective: To estimate the expected staff absentee rates and work attitudes in an Australian tertiary hospital workforce in two hypothetical scenarios: (i) a single admission of avian influenza; and (ii) multiple admissions of human pandemic influenza. Methods: A survey conducted at hospital staff meetings between May and August 2006. Results: Out of 570 questionnaires distributed, 560 were completed. For scenario one, 72 (13%) indicated that they would not attend work, and an additional 136 (25%) would only work provided that immunizations and/or antiviral medications were immediately available, so that up to 208 (38%) would not attend work. For scenario two, 196 (36%) would not attend work, and an additional 95 (17%) would work only if immunizations and/or antiviral medications were immediately available, so that up to 291 (53%) staff would not attend work. Staff whose work required them to be in the ED (odds ratios 2.2 and 1.6 for each scenario respectively) or on acute medical ward
Related Questions
- What is a pandemic? What is the difference between seasonal influenza, avian influenza, and pandemic influenza?
- What staff education topics should I provide to hospital employees to improve pandemic preparedness?
- How does the avian influenza virus commonly found in wild birds relate to pandemic influenza?
