Personal Protective Equipment and Antiviral Drug Use during Hospitalization for Suspected Avian or Pandemic Influenza(1)

Swaminathan, Ashwin; Martin, Rhea; Gamon, Sandi; Aboltins, Craig; Athan, Eugene; Braitberg, George; Catton, Michael G.; Cooley, Louise; Dwyer, Dominic E.; Edmonds, Deidre; Eisen, Damon P.; Hosking, Kelly; Hughes, Andrew J.; Johnson, Paul D.; Maclean, Andrew V; O’Reilly, Mary; Peters, S. Erica; Stuart, Rhonda L.; Moran, Rodney; Grayson, M. Lindsay

For pandemic influenza planning, realistic estimates of personal protective equipment (PPE) and antiviral medication required for hospital healthcare workers (HCWs) are vital. In this simulation study, a patient with suspected avian or pandemic influenza (API) sought treatment at 9 Australian hospital emergency departments where patient–staff interactions during the first 6 hours of hospitalization were observed. Based on World Health Organization definitions and guidelines, the mean number of “close contacts” of the API patient was 12.3 (range 6–17; 85% HCWs); mean “exposures” were 19.3 (range 15–26). Overall, 20–25 PPE sets were required per patient, with variable HCW compliance for wearing these items (93% N95 masks, 77% gowns, 83% gloves, and 73% eye protection). Up to 41% of HCW close contacts would have qualified for postexposure antiviral prophylaxis. These data indicate that many current national stockpiles of PPE and antiviral medication are likely inadequate for a pandemic.