When COVID-19 hit the U.S. in 2020, many healthcare workers were unprepared for its effects, both physical and financial. According to an Oct. 5 report in Forbes written by Devin Jopp, EdD, CEO of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology, there are four steps leaders can take to prepare for future pandemics:
1. Have an emergency response plan in place and test it regularly. While organizations often have response plans, they do not always test or update them as times change.
2. Ensure that your emergency response team has the right combination of talent and skills to respond to an outbreak. Infection preventionists and epidemiologists should be present on the response team.
3. Invest in surveillance systems and staff that can collect and provide data in real time. This will help to identify emerging trends and contain potential outbreaks.
4. Invest in an infection prevention and control team to bolster your workforce and be prepared.