Plumas County Public Health Agency. Preparing the Community for Public Health Emergencies

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Eleanore Lambert
5 years ago
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1 Plumas County Public Health Agency Preparing the Community for Public Health Emergencies

2 Business Continuity Planning For Family Medicine Practices Much of emergency planning is universal Cross-over benefit: organizations will be prepared for any future event that threatens sustaining essential operations Use this opportunity to trigger business and community planning activities that we haven t yet addressed

3 Public Health Event vs. Other Emergencies Traditional first responders for emergencies such as earthquakes, fire, or severe weather know their roles and responsibilities. Public Health is usually not a primary part of the initial first response. A public health communicable disease emergency requires immediate and ongoing action from public health officials in collaboration and communication with traditional first responders and primary care providers and practices. To limit spread of disease, we need the entire community to act and respond.

4 What can you do? 1. Learn as much as possible about preparing your clinic for emergencies 2. Plan for business continuity 3. Protect your services, staff and patients

5 Are we past due for the next pandemic? Three serious flu pandemics during 20 th century 1918, 1957, 1968 They tend to occur in cycles. There has been no major pandemic in many years. Yes,experts believe we are due for another pandemic.

6 Plan for absenteeism as a result of ANY emergency At the peak of an influenza pandemic, staff absenteeism rates could be as high as 40% Periods of active illness are expected to peak in repeated waves, each lasting 6-8 weeks

7 Prepare for added stress to our health care system If 30% of the local population becomes clinically ill, and an estimated 60% seek medical care, almost 1,000 people in Quincy proper will seek medical care. 4,000 people in the county will seek medical care

8 The Community s Critical Infrastructure - 85% of facilities are privately owned Communication ATM s/credit cards Banks Cell phones landlines Electricity Power for businesses Light and heat for homes Power for vital communication Power for radio and TV Emergency Broadcast System Water For drinking Sanitary needs Fire fighting needs

9 Federal government: Stockpile medications and supplies Research new vaccines Monitor and respond quickly to virus outbreaks Help state and local authorities develop pandemic response plans Establish public health guidelines

10 State and Local Public Health Agencies: Develop and update statewide and local pandemic plans Develop mass immunization strategies Prepare for and provide timely, consistent risk communications during a public health emergency Test plans through exercises Organize cooperative efforts involving essential community services

11 Any local government that fails to prepare expecting the federal or state government to step in will be tragically wrong. HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt CA Pandemic Influenza Summit Mar 30, 2006

12 Social Disruption May Be Widespread Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include schools, daycare, hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices. Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, are canceled. Consider how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available.

13 Key Concerns for Business Community Maintain essential functions and services Workforce preservation - protect employees health, safety and welfare Check that core business functions can be sustained with minimum workforce Plan for interruptions of essential government services like sanitation, water, power, and disruptions to food supply Consider measures to provide financial aid to those employees who have no paid leave.

14 Pandemic Planning Opportunities Advances general emergency preparedness Improves local infrastructure Engages community partners Creates local ties to public health Benefits annual influenza epidemic control Mitigates impact of next influenza pandemic

15 Call to Action To be successful, local public health preparedness planning requires helping the business community sustain vital services during any disaster.

16 What To Do Now? Assign cross-trained people to keep abreast of public and health professional announcements from local, state and civil defense and share these with staff Participate in local planning exercises and help increase public awareness Start strategizing on how to continue essential business, office, and nursing functions in the event of an emergency

17 For additional information: California Department of Health Services (Search for Pandemic Influenza) -or- Plumas County Public Health Agency orwww.pandemicflu.gov

Importance and Benefits of Being Prepared

Importance and Benefits of Being Prepared It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are