Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.
2010 Dec;15(2):103-111.
Experience with a Simulation Drill for Novel Influenza A (H1N1)
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Infection Control, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. leekcp@yuhs.ac
- 2Intensive Care Unit, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Emergency Care Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 7Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 8Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
- 9Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
It is important that hospitals conduct disaster drills to ensure prompt response in case of a pandemic and thereby prevent a biological disaster.
METHODS
In a university hospital of Seoul, a drill was arranged by the members of the drill preparation team who were a part of the response team for infection control of novel influenza A (H1N1). The drill preparation team designed the scenario for the drill, made plans to resolve the potential problems that could occur during that scenario, and organized a survey team and a survey methodology. The scenario consisted of 2 modules: (1) for an intensive care unit and (2) for an emergency care center. The surveyors and field participants were evaluated after the drill exercise.
RESULTS
This drill was conducted to improve the response to outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The drill event showed that the communication among the members responsible for the infection control was effective. However, the drill revealed certain drawbacks in the process; this drawbacks involved availability of adequate quarantine space, education on using personal protective equipments, assignment of medical and nonmedical staff, management of visitors, and installment of air-conditioners, heaters, and ventilation units in the areas with H1N1 outbreak.
CONCLUSION
This drill helped to improve the process of infection control and overcome the drawbacks in the current process, and thereby helped in achieving positive outcome during the actual pandemic situation when the number of hospital visits and admissions because of H1N1 pandemic had rapidly increased. Although disaster plans and drills are not actively performed, the drill for infection control is essential because the risk for an outbreak of a new infectious disease is increasing.
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