ABSTRACT
Epidemiology is central because the field focuses on pandemics and prevention and control (EPI). RecentguidanceandrecommendationsprovidedontheWebsitesoftheWorldHealthOrganization (WHO),theCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),andtheHealthResourcesandService Administration(HRSA)ontheemergenceofanovelstrainofTypeAinfluenzasupportstheneedfor continueddevelopmentofthoroughandcompletestrategicplansforhealthcareproviders.Ÿecontinuedpresenceofapandemiccanthreatenabilitiesofhospitalsandclinicstoprovidecareattheirnormaloperatinglevels,whileundergoingstresstoexpandcapacitytomeetthedemandsofapandemic. Ÿedevelopmentandimplementationofsystematicplansthatcarefullyconsidersavarietyofpotential pandemicscenarioscanprovideapriorexperienceinhopesofeasingtheburdenofcoordinatingand deliveringhealthcareserviceswhileapandemicoccurs.Evaluationofwhatshouldbeconsidered“essentialhealthcareservices”priortoapandemicprovideshealthcarepersonneltheopportunitytodevote resources to these priorities, while making adjustments to other services.
