ANNEX A PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLANNING

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Wilfred Townsend
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1 PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLANNING Revised Plan DRAFT #5 August 2010

2 Pandemic Table of Contents 1. OHPIP Organizational Chart 2. NWHU Organizational Chart for Pandemic 3. NWHU Internal and External Functions for Pandemic 4. NWHU Communication Plan for Pandemic 5. NWHU Collaboration with Community 6. Technology Resources 2

3 Organizational structure during pandemic in Ontario 3

4 NWHU Organizational Chart: Template Incident Commander Command Functions Safety Liaison EI Operations Planning Logistics Fin/Admin 4

5 NWHU Pandemic Actions The Northwestern Health Unit follows the Ontario Health Plan for Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP). The OHPIP will be the guidance document for revisions to this Annex, and details of actions during a pandemic will be guided by the Regional EOC. The OHPIP outlines four main categories of action: 1. Preparedness: the NWHU participates with community partners and municipalities in planning for pandemic. 2. Prevention: measures such as education and advocacy for basic infection prevention and control measures, routine immunization and seasonal influenza immunization are examples of NWHU preventive practices 3. Mitigation: once a pandemic has been declared, the NWHU will prioritize mitigating actions such as pandemic-strain immunization and Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures, as outlined on page 36. Surveillance activities will also be a priority as directed by the MOHLTC and PHAC to inform the planning of the Regional response. 4. Response: the NWHU has a coordinating role in ensuring equitable access to influenza assessment, testing and treatment within its jurisdiction. This will involve ensuring care providers collaboratively build solutions to maintain access. The NWHU also plays a lead role in communicating with the public and ensuring information about accessibility is made public. As per OHPIP, in the event of an influenza pandemic, the threat will not be limited to a single health unit so the decision to use particular public health measures will be made by the Chief Medical Officer of Health in consultation with local Medical Officers of Health and others. Local Medical Officers of Health will not be making decisions independently with regard to orders under the Health Protection and Promotion Act related to the pandemic. 5

6 Public Health Measures by Pandemic Severity (from Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic August 2008) 6

7 Annex A Pandemic Communication Plan All communications will go through the IMS Communications Officer and then distributed. Internal Communication: All Staff Initial all-staff teleconference; assess need for further teleconferences over time Initial memo to all staff explaining H1N1 status and the communication plan Frequently asked questions (FAQ) document, initial to accompany memo, then updated monthly or as needed ed Weekly Status Report, more frequent as needed copies of all external media releases Front Desk Staff Initial memo detailing instructions on active screening, information collecting forms, how to manage calls re: pandemic; follow up with updates as needed, monthly at minimum Public Health Nurses, Public Health Inspectors ed Daily Status Report (distributed early in the day after AM briefing) in addition to all staff communications Local Offices Dedicated boards for messages ie. bulletin boards or white boards to share important information with staff. ie. clinic staff scheduling, etc. Incident Command During active phase (mitigation and response), Incident Action Plan issued every 24 hours at minimum by the Operations Section Chief in collaboration with the Planning Section Chief, submit plan to Incident Command Daily or in-person update of Emergency Information (external communication) actions, Liaison needs and actions, and Safety considerations or concerns External Communication: Website Post press releases Links to Ministry websites Maintain prevention fact sheets Post information about pandemic related immunization clinics 7

8 Post information about access to influenza assessment, testing and treatment Post pandemic planning information and links for schools, workplaces, health care organizations Post weekly status reports (same content as All Staff) Media NWHU press releases at least monthly, more frequently during active (mitigation and response) phases Immunization clinic schedule Toll Free Phone Number Link to Telehealth Link to Healthcare Providers Hotline (Ministry information line) Recording of current CMOH directives: who should seek medical care Information about local access to influenza assessment, testing and treatment Information about access to immunization clinics Infection Prevention and Control information and links Community Partners ed weekly status report (same content as All Staff) Health Care Professionals Weekly teleconferences ed daily or weekly status report (same as PHI/PHN) External Advertising Sandwich boards and/or electronic signs to provide clinic schedules 8

9 Annex A NWHU Collaboration with Community Partners Access to Supplies At times during a pandemic resources and supplies may be in short supply. It may be necessary for NWHU staff to have arrangements with community partners to ensure access to supplies. Local arrangements can be negotiated with local clinics and hospitals so that adequate supplies (ie. Safety Engineered Needles) are available when needed. Access to Human Resources At times during a pandemic human resources may be in short supply. It may be necessary for NWHU staff to partner with community agencies (ie. FNIHB, Zone Nursing Office, Diabetes Units, Health Authorities, etc) that employ Registered Nurses that could help out with clinics when available. An increased number of Registered Nurses would be needed to immunize large volumes of people in short timelines. These nurses will not be available in all NWHU communities. 9

10 Annex A Technology Resources The MOHLTC will provide the necessary tools to manage and track the immunization data. The NWHU Information Systems Coordinator will assist with the management of data. The NWHU management team will draft a plan re: cell phone provision and office phone system capacity. 10

Chapter 3: Roles and Responsibilities

Chapter 3: Roles and Responsibilities Chapter 3: Roles and Responsibilities Page 3-1 Chapter 3: Roles and Responsibilities Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 International World Health Organization