As part of a metro-wide effort to support businesses during flu season, Saint Joseph's Hospital will hold "WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT THE FLU," an H1N1 forum for business owners. Saint Joseph's expert epidemiologists, infection control specialists and occupational health coordinators will answer questions about what to do in the event of an outbreak within a company. The forum comes as a new Harvard Study is released, showing less than one-third of U.S. companies believe they could operate if large numbers of employees became ill with flu.
"Awareness is the key, whether the virus has already reached workers or prevention is still the goal," says Denise Kirley, an Infection Control Specialist at Saint Joseph's Hospital. "Businesses have to be part of the planning and solution for influenza outbreak management. "Just as in a hospital or school where many people work in close quarters or share equipment, they share germs as well."
The panel of Saint Joseph's medical experts will include Dr. Mitchell Blass, Chief of Epidemiology, Denise Kirley, Infection Control Specialist, Renee North, Occupational Health Coordinator, and Susan Kill, Director of Emergency Services.
What: "WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT THE FLU"
Flu Forum for area businesses - event is free
Where: 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in the Doctors Center Building -- Lobby Level
When: Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to 1FLU@sjha.org or call (678) 843-5839.
