What to know
This webpage shares resources to help reduce the impacts to healthcare during an infectious disease outbreak or pandemic. It includes ways to prolong existing supplies while still offering the most protection available to workers. It also includes ways to use ventilation to improve worker, patient, and visitor safety.

Overview
Pandemics happen when new viruses emerge which can infect people easily and spread from person to person in an efficient and sustained way. Outbreaks and pandemics can place extraordinary demands on public health and health care systems as well as on essential community services. Healthcare providers and hospitals may be overwhelmed, and there may not be enough medical supplies to meet demand. Additionally, medical facilities may need to use ventilation to improve worker, patient, and visitor safety.


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