New York patient-zero drill: 40% of healthcare facilities failed

A regional drill in New York used actors feigning H5 bird flu symptoms to test 73 healthcare facilities. Only 60% both masked and isolated the patient, and just 7 of 73 sites asked about bird exposure.

• 44 of 73 facilities (60%) passed; emergency departments only 55%
• 18% of facilities didn't offer a mask to a coughing, feverish patient
• Median time to mask was 2 minutes; to isolation 11 minutes
• Only 25% of clinicians wore all recommended PPE, 6% wore none