Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza in Australia: Absenteeism and redeployment of emergency medicine and nursing staff.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Pandemic (H(1)N(1)) 2009 Influenza on the Australian emergency nursing and medicine workforce, specifically absenteeism and deployment. METHODS: Data were collected using an online survey of 618 members of the three professional emergency medicine or emergency nursing colleges. RESULTS: Despite significant increases in emergency demand during the Pandemic (H(1)N(1)) 2009 Influenza, 56.6% of emergency nursing and medicine staff reported absenteeism of at least 1 day and only 8.5% of staff were redeployed. Staff illness with influenza-like illness was reported by 37% of respondents, and 87% of respondents who became ill were ..