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Business Planning for Influenza Season 2009-2010

Patrick Gannon, RPh, MS, FABCVice President of Quality & Safety

Southcoast Hospitals Group

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Outline1. “Flu”

2. Vaccine updates: Seasonal flu update H1N1 vaccine update / “swine flu” Pneumococcal vaccine in 2009-2010

3. Business preparation

4. Flu facts

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What is the “flu?”

• Respiratory / not “stomach flu”– Cough, congestion, sore throat, fever around

100.4°F, body aches

• Virus / not bacteria– Antibiotics do not kill viruses

• Pneumonia is the common complication– Bacterial pneumonia -> use antibiotics

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Pandemic?

• A human infectious disease across a large region, such as a continent or worldwide

– Declared on June 11, 2009, by WHO

– Due to spread, not severity

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2009 – 2010 Seasonal Flu Vaccine

• Unexpected national shortage

• 10 million dose shortfall due to one manufacturer

• But ... current flu viruses appear to be H1N1

• May have more vaccine later in the flu season

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Target Groups for H1N1 Vaccine

1. Pregnant women2. Household contacts/caregivers of infants < 6

months old3. Healthcare workers4. Persons 6 mos – 24 yrs/old 5. High risk persons 25 - 64 yrs/old

Estimated 3.4 million persons in Mass.

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H1N1 Vaccine

• Dosing:– Persons 10 years and older: 1 dose– Children between 6 months and 9 years old:

• 2 doses, 1 month apart• Temporary delay in H1N1 vaccine deliveries from the

government

• H1N1 vaccine itself is free to all persons living or working in the U.S. No one is denied for reasons of payment.

*** Vaccination is NOT mandatory ***

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People 65 years old and above• Have some immunity to H1N1

• Risk for infection less

• Offer H1N1 vaccine when demand among target groups met

• Still target this group for:– Seasonal flu vaccine– Pneumococcal vaccine

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Pneumococcal Vaccine

• Pneumococcal disease – Complication of flu

• Vaccinate high risk groups now– > 65 years of age– Chronic medical conditions– Asthmatics, smokers

Vaccinating those at risk for pneumococcal disease protects them now, and during the next pandemic!

New!

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The need for business planning

• An estimated 25 percent of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

• Planning can offset losses.• Benefits of planning:

– Minimize business disruption– Protect employees’ health & safety– Limit negative impact to the community

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In your business …Implement infection prevention

• Encourage vaccination:– Seasonal– H1N1– Pneumonia if applicable

• Give staff time to attend an H1N1 vaccine clinic• Easy hand washing accessibility

– No-touch trash cans– Provide disinfectant wipes for frequent work

surface cleaning

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In your business …Do pandemic planning• Communicate the plans to your staff

• Pandemic peak / absenteeism rate ??? %– Identify critical job functions– Suspend non-critical activities if necessary– Cross-train for coverage– Work from home when caring for sick family members– Plan for school closures / staffing impact

• Provide flu booklets: www.mass.gov/flu/– Caring for People at Home booklet – free!

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In your business …Focus on employee relations

• Clearly communicate the sick time policy• Check with staff daily:

– ILI? -> Send them home• ILI? -> Stay home for 24 hours after fever

subsides without medication• No doctor’s note to return• Flexible sick time policy• Plan for staff needs when no sick time left

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In your business …Have a communications process

• Who is the workplace coordinator for flu issues?

• Emergency communications plans: – For staff– Suppliers– Customers/clients

• Voice mail / signage / website / off-hours telephone numbers

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What is Southcoast doing?

• Serve as H1N1 vaccine depot

• Provide vaccines to patients, staff, physicians & volunteers

• Plan for hospital volume surge

• Mid-November: H1N1 public vaccination clinics

• Weekly video podcast on iTunes

• Public education: www.southcoast.org/flu/

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Important!

• You cannot get the flu from the flu shot

• According to government officials, the H1N1 vaccine is safe — it’s made the same way as the seasonal flu shot.

• Don’t like shots? Nasal spray flu vaccines are suitable for some persons (based on age and medical condition)– NOTE: The nasal spray vaccines are processed, live virus

vaccines and pose minimal risk of exposure to the flu. Spray vaccines are therefore not suitable for all people.

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What can you do?

• Get vaccinated!• Stay home if you are sick with the flu• Wash hands frequently • Cough into your sleeve

Read: southcoast.org/flu

mass.gov/flu

FLU.gov

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20www.southcoast.org

www.southcoast.org/flu/