As the current outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) in more than 30 countries around the world tests organizations' preparedness and ability to respond, Marsh Risk Consulting, a unit of Marsh, the world's leading insurance broker and risk advisor, has developed a new service to help businesses, government entities, and other organizations evaluate their capabilities to respond to and recover from a pandemic, identify gaps in their continuity and crisis plans, and develop a roadmap for process improvement.

Marsh's Rapid Pandemic Preparedness Assessment gives clients the ability to examine their plans from a wide perspective, drawing on Marsh’s expertise in such areas business continuity, clinical health, insurance, supply chain risk management, crisis management, and workforce strategies.

"Although the current H1N1 outbreak generally has not had a severe impact on organizations, many now recognize that their existing business continuity and pandemic plans did not account for the potential economic, social, and health impacts on their business or supply chains," said Karen Avery, leader of Marsh's U.S. Business Continuity Risk Management Practice.  "We are working to help clients identify and close these gaps so that if H1N1, some variation of it, or other potential pandemic emerges in the fall, their organizations will be better prepared for the challenge."

For most businesses and organizations, Marsh's assessment takes about one week to complete.  It involves an analysis of documentation, interviews with key executives and managers, and a workshop.

The Marsh service includes a pandemic preparedness implementation roadmap to help guide future activities.

In addition to the Rapid Pandemic Preparedness Assessment, Marsh offers a number of resources for businesses related to the pandemic, including:

• One-hour Webcast, "H1N1 Flu and Pandemic Preparedness." A replay may be accessed free of charge.

• Marsh Pandemic Preparedness Center;
• Marsh 34-page report, H1N1 Influenza: Preparing for and Responding to a Pandemic, which is available free of charge;
• Marsh H1N1 influenza and pandemic e-mail alerts, available free to those who register for them.