PHILADELPHIA -- While 91 percent of large corporations consider organizational preparedness for avian flu "important, very important or critical," only 26 percent of firms have begun to implement a pandemic preparedness plan and just one percent have completed a plan, according to a recent survey of 200 Fortune 500 companies and other large organizations conducted by travel and medical assistance provider International SOS. With 4,000 professionals operating in 60 countries, International SOS helps organizations manage the health and safety risks facing their travelers and global workforce.
Pandemic preparedness plans enable companies to mitigate the risk associated with the outbreak of disease, said Dr. Myles Druckman, vice president of medical assistance for International SOS. "A solid pandemic preparedness plan is critical for organizations to be able to effectively medically manage their employees and travelers, especially in less developed countries. Any business continuity plan needs to address the issue of pandemic," Druckman added.
Among other highlights of the International SOS survey:
--Â 72 percent of organizations are "investigating options" for
       implementing a pandemic preparedness plan. (26 percent have "begun to
       implement" a plan. One percent has "completed" their plan. Two
       percent said they "do not believe pandemic will be an issue.")
--Â Organizations were asked to identify which of the following measures
       they are currently implementing, selecting all measures that apply.
       Their responses:
--Â Employee training:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 53 percent
--Â Travel restrictions:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 17 percent
--Â Stockpiling antiviral drugs:Â Â 6 percent
--Â None:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 43 percent
--Â Organizations were asked to identify which of the following measures
       they are considering implementing, selecting all measures that apply.
       Their responses:
--Â Employee training:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 87 percent
--Â Travel restrictions:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 74 percent
--Â Stockpiling antiviral drugs:Â Â 28 percent
--Â None:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8 percent
Souce: International SOS
Â
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.