H1N1 Outbreak Could Cause Hospital Bed Shortages

The report suggests a number of short-term and long-term recommendations to address potential problems with H1N1.

Short-term recommendations

• Refine plans for rapid distribution and administration of vaccinations


• Reach out to encourage young adults, minorities, and other at-risk groups to get vaccinated


• Enhance vaccine tracking systems to monitor adverse reactions


• Improve payment system for vaccine administration


• Develop and disseminate strong public messages about ways to practice proper hygiene and understand symptoms and remedies

Long-term recommendations

• Establish more regional consortiums to organize and plan for public health emergencies


• Recruit additional medically-trained staff for times of emergency


• Create clear and practice plans to respond to emergencies or major influx of patients


• Modernize U.S. disease surveillance systems


• Modernize core public health infrastructure capabilities, such as technology and equipment to support core functions, including laboratory testing and communications


• Revise pandemic plans continually

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supported the report through a grant.

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