If the new pandemic flu virus creates a surge of patients during the upcoming flu season, it will be critical to protect health care workers given their important role in treating sick people and lessening the pandemic's overall impact. Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A, a new report from the Institute of Medicine, recommends the best means to guard health care workers against infection via respiratory transmission. Embargoed copies of the report will be available to reporters only starting at 9 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Sept. 2. The report is embargoed until 11 a.m. EDT Thursday, Sept. 3.
Source: National Academy of Sciences