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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued H1N1 flu preparedness guidelines for medical offices and other outpatient facilities in anticipation of a potential surge of flu patients this fall, AHA News Now reports. Among the recommendations, the CDC asserts that facilities should develop a business continuity plan that accounts for how H1N1 flu outbreaks could impact staffing and supply chains. In addition, the agency suggests that employers ask staff members to remain home if they exhibit signs and symptoms of febrile respiratory illness, offer staff immunization against the seasonal flu free of charge, provide staff with protective equipment to use when treating patients who may have the H1N1 flu virus and cross-train staff to ensure continued operations in the event of employee absenteeism. The agency also recommends that facilities follow guidelines for identifying and treating H1N1 patients, including using separate waiting and examination rooms, distributing surgical masks for symptomatic patients and providing hand hygiene products. Noting that a significant influx of patients with the H1N1 flu virus would require cooperation among medical offices, urgent care centers, hospitals and emergency departments to ensure optimal patient care, the agency says that facilities should coordinate planning and response activities with hospitals and other providers in the community. As an additional resource, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers an online pandemic flu planning checklist for medical offices and clinics (AHA News Now, 7/15/09; CDC Web site, accessed 7/16/09).