Seminar
Miriam Nuno
PROTECTING RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
FROM PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
The containment of pandemic influenza within acute-care hospitals is problematic due to open
connections with communities. However, other health care institutions, especially those providing
care for the disabled, can potentially control community access. We simulated a residential care
facility to determine whether conditions exist under which non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)
alone might prevent the introduction of a pandemic virus. Implementing NPIs that restricted visitors,
monitored symptoms, isolated staff, we showed that it is possible for residential care facilities
(nursing homes and the like) to protect residents and staff from pandemic viruses even without access
to vaccine and antiviral resources. However, protection from severe pandemics requires significant
social changes and a high degree of motivation and cooperation in the staff of such facilities.
