Hospital Pandemic Preparedness Checklist

19 items · Health · Easy difficulty · 15 min

Quick hospital checklist to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

• Activate incident command and leadership roles

  Start a clear command structure with named leads for clinical, logistics, and communications.

• Review and update the hospital pandemic response plan

  Confirm current actions, contact lists, and one-page rapid guidance for staff.

• Establish clear staff and public communication lines

  Set phone trees, email updates, public signage and a single trusted spokesperson.

• Coordinate with public health authorities and partner facilities

  Share case numbers, bed status and resource needs with local health agencies.

• Set up a dedicated triage and isolation area

  Create a separate patient flow to reduce transmission and protect other patients.

• Mark separate entrance and patient flow for suspected cases

  Use barriers and floor markings to direct suspected influenza patients away from main areas.

• Place clear signage and instructions at entrances and waiting areas

  Include mask use, hand hygiene reminders and triage instructions in plain language.

• Stock essential supplies for clinical care and infection control

  Keep an updated inventory and reorder thresholds for critical items.

• Inventory and reorder PPE and consumables

  Track masks, gloves, gowns and sanitizer; set reorder triggers to avoid shortages.

• Confirm stock of antivirals and key medications

  Check formulations, expiry dates and protocols for prioritized use.

• Ensure backup oxygen supplies and delivery devices are available

  Verify oxygen cylinders, concentrators and masks are ready and accessible.

• Ensure essential medical equipment is functional and maintained

  Check ventilators, monitors and suction; log maintenance and spare parts.

• Implement infection prevention and control practices

  Enforce hand hygiene, mask use, surface cleaning and visitor limits.

• Promote staff influenza vaccination and daily health checks

  Offer vaccines if available and screen staff for symptoms before shifts.

• Assign surge staffing and cross-train staff for critical roles

  Create backup rosters, on-call lists and brief cross-training checklists.

• Prioritize services and create protocols for triage and care levels

  Define which procedures continue, delay or shift to outpatient care.

• Monitor admissions, bed capacity and report regularly

  Use simple dashboards and daily reports to inform decisions and partners.

• Plan safe waste management, cleaning and laundry processes

  Confirm handling, PPE for cleaners and increased cleaning frequency for high-risk zones.

• Support staff wellbeing and rest rotations

  Provide breaks, mental health resources and clear shift limits to reduce burnout.

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