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October 25, 2009 (Washington D.C.) --In an effort to proactively address the ongoing pandemic, President Barack Obama has signed a National Emergency Declaration on H1N1, which allows healthcare systems to quickly implement disaster plans should they become overwhelmed. This declaration gives authority for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to waive certain regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities in response the ongoing national pandemic.
Specifically, healthcare facilities will be able to submit waivers to establish alternate care sites, along with modified patient triage protocols, patient transfer procedures and other actions that occur when they fully implement disaster operations plans. For example, a hospital might set up triage tents in parking lots to diagnose flu patients and avoid spreading the disease to other patients in emergency rooms.
Past instances where authority to grant Section 1135 waivers was enabled include:
• Hurricane Katrina (2005)
• 56th Presidential Inauguration (2009)
• Hurricanes Ike and Gustav (2008)
• North Dakota flooding (2009)
The H1N1 flu is now pandemic in most states, with California among the most hard hit. In San Diego, 25 residents have died and hundreds have been hospitalized by the H1N1 flu virus, which has also been reported in 29 schools countywide. A new shipment of flu vaccines arrived Friday and are offered at County medical clinics, with priority given to pregnant women, children, people with infants under six months in the home, and healthcare workers. Hospitals have also received vaccines for front-line healthcare workers.
To find locations of clinics offering H1N1 flu vaccinations, visit www.sdiz.org.
Learn answers to common questions about this National Emergency Declaration at http://www.flu.gov/professional/federal/h1n1emergency10242009.html. Get information on H1N1 and seasonal flu at www.flu.gov. Additional details are available at www.whitehouse.gov.
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