PANDEMIC INTERVENTIONS WEIGHING THE OPTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR WORKFORCE

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1 PANDEMIC INTERVENTIONS WEIGHING THE OPTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR WORKFORCE Presented by Dr. Allan Holmes President, Global Medical Services / Global Consulting

2 PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES Pandemic still a threat in 2009? Ongoing spread of H5N1 The benefits of reducing workplace risk Interventions to consider: Infection control PPE Social distancing Education Ethics and legal considerations How to get started?

3 PREVIOUSLY A MAJOR NEWS STORY

4 BUT IN 2009

5 COVERAGE GOES DOWN WHILE THE PANDEMIC THREAT RISES Other issues taking priority Global economic slowdown War in the Middle East Planning fatigue Where does pandemic planning fit?

6 CURRENT PANDEMIC THREAT LEVEL REMAINS HIGH Avian influenza H5N1 continuing to spread As of March 2 nd 2009: 409 human cases, with 256 fatalities Approximately 90% of H5N1 cases under 40 years old Indonesia hardest hit Lull in H5N1 activity in summer and fall of 2008 Increased activity in December

7 ADDITIONAL CONCERNS Reporting issues between states and WHO Projected economic fallout Increasing antiviral resistance Federal, state, and local planning coordination? Interoperability and links to private sector

8 WHERE IS THE SAFETY NET? Healthcare system is in crisis mode Plans are far from complete Struggling with their own issues Plan accordingly

9 POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS VARY

BUT ACCORDING TO RISK MANAGERS A massive outbreak of avian flu will not only affect the health of staff and their families, but also the operations of government and businesses.

10 BUT ACCORDING TO RISK MANAGERS A massive outbreak of avian flu will not only affect the health of staff and their families, but also the operations of government and businesses. Federation of European Risk Management Associations Planning for a pandemic is so different from anything that s been done before that it s like writing a book as we go and it won t be finished until the virus is finished. Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, U of Minn

WHY YOU SHOULD PLAN FOR AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC Pandemics present unique challenges due to their duration, global impact, and cross-sector risk ROI can be realized

11 WHY YOU SHOULD PLAN FOR AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC Pandemics present unique challenges due to their duration, global impact, and cross-sector risk ROI can be realized before, during, and after an influenza pandemic; value includes: Employee protection Stabilization of corporate performance Strengthening of corporate reputation

12 PROTECTING EMPLOYEES

13 WHY DO EMPLOYEES NEED PROTECTION? Courtesy of Florida s Department of Health: The 5 th Guy Ad Campaign

14 STABILIZING CORPORATE PERFORMANCE

15 STRENGTHENING CORPORATE REPUTATION

16 PLANNING AND WORKPLACE PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES Occupational Risk Pyramid for Pandemic Influenza Characterizing the risk in workplaces, office settings Bottom line key is to reduce chances of exposure

17 CONSIDERING THE WORKPLACE: OPERATIONAL ISSUES Staff absenteeism and panic Impact of public health measures on facilities and operations Supply disruptions Limited support available from other agencies, groups Ability to maintain critical functions, essential records

CONSIDERING THE WORKPLACE: HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES Numerous considerations for addressing HR issues BCP ought to properly identify critical

18 CONSIDERING THE WORKPLACE: HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES Numerous considerations for addressing HR issues BCP ought to properly identify critical service employees Back-up staff also essential Internal policies should encourage ill employees to stay at home Refusal to work considerations

19 PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES

20 ANNUAL & PANDEMIC VACCINE

21 SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES

22 TELECOMMUTING

23 INFECTION CONTROL & EDUCATION

24 N95 RESPIRATORS VS. MASKS

25 TYPES OF ANTIVIRALS Two available types for influenza treatment and prophylaxis M2 ion-channel inhibitors: Amantadine / Rimantadine Previously not recommended; now being reconsidered given resistance Neuraminidase inhibitors: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ) Zanamivir (Relenza )

26 RELENZA

27 TAMIFLU

28 TREATMENT VS. PROPHYLAXIS

29 ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS Ability to stockpile PPE, antivirals? For whom? All employees vs. businesscritical? What are employees, the public s expectations? What can be budgeted? Legal requirements maintaining a safe working environment Liability considerations and Federal/State guidelines

30 SOME POSSIBLE NEXT STEPS Establish planning working groups Identify needs and gaps (e.g., basic plan, PPE) Plan and test components: Essential services Communications PPE (if applicable) Telecommuting Link with local plans, guidelines, and agencies Stakeholder engagement critical

QUESTIONS? THANK YOU! EMAIL: a.holmes@global-medical.

31 QUESTIONS? THANK YOU! PHONE: (ext. 225)

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA IN THE WORKPLACE

PANDEMIC INFLUENZA IN THE WORKPLACE 1 WILLIAM CANDLER, D.O., M.T.M.& H. Medical Director John Deere Harvester Works, Seeding Group and Cylinder Division Proposed Crisis Management Structure CORPORATE CRISIS