Profession
IOM to provide advice for doctors on H1N1 protection
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 24, 2009
The Institute of Medicine is working on a report that will include advice to physicians and other health care professionals on how to protect themselves and their staffs from influenza A(H1N1).
A panel of experts heard testimony Aug. 11-13 on the potential for physicians, emergency personnel and others to be exposed to the H1N1 virus. The panel also heard discussions about patient care activities that pose the greatest risk, and the effectiveness of medical masks, respirators and other personal protective equipment in preventing the spread of the disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requested that the report be ready by Sept. 1. The virus, now causing outbreaks in the Southern Hemisphere, is expected to return north as schools open this fall.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/08/24/prbf0824.htm.