Suchttherapie 2024; 25(01): 38-51
DOI: 10.1055/a-2207-1526
Fort- und Weiterbildung

Vorbereitung auf eine Pandemie

Preparing for Pandemics
Xiaowei Yan
,
Francesco Barbero
,
Robert Wunderlich

Pandemien sind unvorhersehbare Ereignisse, die erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die weltweite Gesundheit und Gesellschaft haben können. Sie ereignen sich, wenn ein Pathogen auftritt, gegen das der Mensch keine oder nur eine geringe Immunität besitzt. Planung und Vorbereitung sind wesentliche Schritte, um das Risiko und die Auswirkungen einer Pandemie zu mindern, die Reaktion zu steuern und ein normales Leben wiederherzustellen.

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to millions of deaths globally and it is estimated that the hit to the global economy could reach more than twelve trillion US-dollars. Disease outbreaks have often pushed weak health systems to a breaking point, as witnessed during cholera, Ebola and Zika virus upsurges. The preparation of a plan involves the analysis of a scenario divided into the disaster cycle’s four phases: preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation. Several levels of planning are recognised according to the goals to be reached: strategic plans are directed to define the organisational context and overall aims, operational plans with putting the strategy into place, tactical plans explain how resources will be allocated and managed, as well as provide essential instructions to the responders. The hospital surge capacity relies on the reorganisation of resources according to four categories: system, staff, stuff (supplies), and space. Each of these components needs to be analysed, implemented, and tested during the preparation phase to reduce the occurrence of a critical overrun of the response capabilities, as this will trigger the recourse of contingency plans. The response to pandemics must be associated with public health and social measures, as well as with initiatives to support the psycho-physical health of healthcare workers.



Publication History

Article published online:
12 February 2024

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