Hospitals Ready for Swine Flu?

Dr. Geoffrey Doughlin Talks With Good
Day

Updated: Thursday, 03 Sep 2009, 8:32 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 03 Sep 2009, 8:30 AM EDT

MYFOXNY.COM - The doctor who runs the emergency departments at Jamaica, Brookdale, Flushing and Peninsula Hospitals says he's working to be sure they're ready for the challenges in caring for swine flu and seasonal influenza patients.

The most difficult part of preparing, says Dr. Geoffrey Doughlin, is handling the potential volume of patients.

Part of the plan is to separate swine flu and influenza patients from other emergency room patients. Special masks for patients and staff will be made available.

"Once we exceed a certain number of patients, we won't be able to continue doing this in an emergency room," says Dr. Doughlin.

Patients will be moved to stellately sites within the hospital, adds Dr. Doughlin.

New York State health officials say they are providing hospitals with weekly updates through meetings and teleconferences arranged by the Greater New York Hospital Association.

Source