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.
Schlüsselwörter
Pandemie - Vorbereitung des Gesundheitssystems - Notfallplanung - Kapazitätserweiterung - Katastrophenmedizin
Keywords
pandemic - healthcare preparedness - emergency planning - surge capacity - disaster medicine
