The American Association for Respiratory Care is surveying all U.S. hospitals to obtain an accurate count of mechanical ventilators available as the nation braces for the H1N1 flu virus this fall. Launched on Aug. 17, the survey is being conducted for the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Preparedness and Response for completion by Sept. 10. Information on the survey was sent to hospital executives yesterday and to their respiratory care/critical care service managers last month. HHS officials are hoping for a 90% response rate from the nation's hospitals. For more information or to complete the survey, visit www.aarc.org.