For Immediate Release:
Friday, November 11, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. Representative Dan Boren expressed concerns today that the Administration’s national pandemic flu plan did not address the issue of surge capacity in the nation’s hospital emergency departments.  Boren is concerned that a pandemic flu outbreak could leave rural hospitals too inundated to meet a sudden rise in demand for emergency care. 

 

Surge capacity refers to the ability to meet an increased demand for medical personnel and care in the event of a large-scale public health emergency.

 

“A flu pandemic in the U.S. would require significant surge capacity – in both manpower and equipment. Local governments cannot provide these resources alone,” Boren said.  

 

“Often overlooked, surge capacity needs to be part of our nation’s plan for emergency preparedness.  Addressing this issue and being prepared could save thousands of lives in the crucial first hours of infection,” Boren explained. 

 

Boren, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, serves on a congressional panel currently assessing U.S. military readiness to domestic and pandemic threats such as Bird Flu.  Boren’s group, the Non-Traditional Mission and Catastrophic Disasters Gap Panel, is expected to produce recommendations later this month to fill any “gaps” in armed services preparedness.

 

Boren has been primarily focused on the specific challenges posed by rural areas.  “Many rural hospitals and clinics across Eastern Oklahoma are already overcrowded and under funded - a pandemic would be crippling to these providers.  Because of limited access to specialized healthcare and fewer hospital beds, rural patients could have a tougher time getting emergency care,” Boren said.    

 

Boren announced earlier that he would support the Administration’s request for emergency funding to combat the Bird Flu. “The President’s plan primarily addresses vaccine production and stockpiling more antiviral medications – both of which I support.  But we must now turn our attention to addressing surge capacity – many lives may depend on it,” Boren said.

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