AURORA, Colo. -- Colorado hospitals are putting “pandemic planning” measures in place, in preparation for an outbreak of H1N1 cases this fall that could disproportionately affect the young and healthy.

Despite a debate in the medical community over the effectiveness of protective masks, Children’s Hospital is bracing for flu season by keeping a surplus of child-sized medical masks on-hand.

“Here at the Children's Hospital, we're really making sure that all of our supplies are pediatric-specific and we have enough to deal with an influx of cases,” said registered nurse Roberta Smith, an infection preventionist with the hospital.

The small masks, complete with cartoon characters, can be difficult to find online or at other hospitals and the government’s strategic national stockpile does not include masks for children. The hospital is asking the government to start carrying the smaller masks, in case of a shortage.

“If this were to be on a kid, it would really not fit well,” said Smith, holding up a larger, adult-sized mask. “It would probably be flopping around.” Smith said that could render the mask ineffective. Doctors at Children’s believe the masks can block droplets emitted after a cough or sneeze.

At Denver Health Medical Center, hospital employees are being fitted for masks that could provide extra protection, because they contour to fit the face. The hospital is holding fitting sessions weekly.

Dr. Connie Price, Chief of Infectious Disease at Denver Health, said medical staff have also undergone emergency drills in preparation for events like a massive flu outbreak.

Once Denver Health gets its supply of seasonal flu vaccines, there will be drills to practice administering large amounts of the vaccine.

Smith said if the H1N1 pandemic worsens significantly, the Centers for Disease Control could start urging hospitals to quarantine contagious patients. Unlike many hospitals, Children’s has an entire ward of negative pressure isolation rooms- roughly 24 beds. The rooms are equipped with special ventilation systems. Once the door to a room is shut, particles are contained inside the room. When the door is opened, germs cannot fly out.

Smith said initially, when the H1N1 virus broke out in spring, the CDC did require patients who tested positive to be quarantined. Now, the agency only requires staff treating the patient to wear masks, gowns and gloves.