During a pandemic, what is one necessary adjustment to standard emergency protocols?

In the context of a pandemic, enhanced infection control measures are crucial to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among patients, staff, and visitors. Standard emergency protocols typically focus on immediate life-saving actions, but during a pandemic, the priority shifts to minimizing the risk of transmission of the virus. This includes practices such as appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), rigorous cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, and protocols for isolating infected individuals.

Increasing these measures ensures that healthcare settings can safely treat patients while protecting healthcare workers and the community. It reflects the understanding that respiratory viruses, for instance, can spread rapidly in healthcare environments, necessitating stricter controls beyond what is typically implemented. Hence, adopting enhanced infection control is a necessary and logical adjustment to standard protocols during a pandemic situation.