Recent reports of Bird Flu and SARS outbreaks have raised public concern over the possibility of a global pandemic influenza outbreak.  Earlier this month, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued guidance for employers in the healthcare and home health industries that may be called upon to respond to such a public health emergency.  The guidance assumes that there will be no readily available vaccine for the outbreak, and details preventative measures intended to minimize the risk of exposure to workers treating ill patients.  In addition to basic infection control procedures such as hand washing and respiratory protection, the guidance urges healthcare employers to take steps now to plan for an influenza outbreak emergency.  Planning should include employee training and education, as well as a basic inventory of supplies likely needed in the event of an outbreak.  OSHA recommends that the plan be formalized in a written emergency management procedure.

The guidance is advisory and is not a mandatory regulation or safety standard, although it does refer to existing standards such as OSHA's bloodborne pathogen rules.  The full guidance can be found at www.osha.gov.