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Epidemic Preparedness in New Hampshire: Assessment of Increased Airborne Infection Isolation Capacity 1 Year After Distribution of Portable Isolation Units

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Rachel N. Plotinsky ,
Elizabeth A. Talbot ,
Deborah Yeager  and
Jose T. Montero
Rachel N. Plotinsky
Affiliation:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire
Elizabeth A. Talbot*
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire New Hampshire Hospital Association, New Hampshire
Deborah Yeager
Affiliation:
Concord, the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
Jose T. Montero
Affiliation:
Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire
*
29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 (eatalbot@dhhs.state.nh.us)
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Abstract

We surveyed hospital personnel regarding their preparedness to use and their actual use of portable isolation units that were distributed to increase facilities' capacity to place patients under airborne infection isolation precautions. Although personnel reported feeling prepared to use portable isolation units, the effectiveness of the unit deployment program would be enhanced by retrofitted rooms and an improved ability to monitor negative air pressure.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 28 , Issue 9 , September 2007 , pp. 1093 - 1095
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2007

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