PALESTINE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS PLAN 201-201
TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose... 3 Pandemic Flu... 3 Differences between Pandemic Flu and Seasonal Flu... 3 Severe Symptoms for Adults and Chldren... 3 Assumptions... 4 Surveillance... 4 Planning Coordination... 5 Pandemic Response Team... 5 Chain of Command... 5 Levels of Response... 5 Continuity of Student Learning and Core Operations... 6 Employees... 6 Students... 8 Health Services: School Nurse... 9 Infectious Control Policies and Procedures... 11 Communications Planning... 12
PURPOSE Palestine Independent School District is aware of the effect a Pandemic Event will have on students, employees, and regular operations. This plan will assist our district in responding to and minimizing education interruption during a Pandemic Influenza (PI) Event. PANDEMIC FLU An influenza (flu) pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that can spread easily from person to person. Because people have not been exposed to this new virus before, they have little or no immunity to the virus; therefore serious illness or death is more likely to result than during seasonal flu. It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. In addition, a pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last months at a time. The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made ahead of time. The illness rates for both seasonal and pandemic influenza are high among children, and schools are likely to be an important contributor to the spread of influenza in a community. Differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu: Seasonal Flu THE VIRUS Caused by influenza viruses that are closely related to viruses that have previously circulated; most people will have some immunity to it. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. Complications such as pneumonia are most common in the very young and very old and may result in death. Vaccine is produced each season to protect people from the three influenza strains predicted to be most likely to cause illness. IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY Seasonal flu affects about 36,000 Americans each year and hospitalizes more than 200,000 children and adults. Mild to Moderate Pandemic THE VIRUS Caused by new influenza virus that has not previously circulated among people that can be easily spread. Because most people will have no immunity to the new virus, it will likely cause illness in high numbers of people and more severe illness and deaths than seasonal influenza. Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, but may be more severe and have more frequent serious complications. Healthy adults may be at increased risk for serious complications. IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY May cause a moderate impact on society (e.g., some short-term school closings, encouragement of people who are sick to stay home). Severe Pandemic THE VIRUS A severe strain causes more severe illness, results in greater loss of life, and has a greater impact on society. During the peak of a severe pandemic, workplace absenteeism could reach up to 40% due to people being ill themselves or caring for family members. IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY Schools and day care/child care facilities may be closed. Public and social gatherings will be discouraged. The patterns of daily life could be changed for some time with basic services and access to supplies possibly disrupted. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 3
SEVERE SYMPTOMS Severe Symptoms for Adults Severe Symptoms for Children Has difficulty breathing Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips Is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down Has signs of dizziness when standing Has seizures Has loss of consciousness Has an alteration in thinking or behavior Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish or gray skin color Not drinking enough fluids Not waking up or not interacting Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held Flu like symptoms improve but then return Fever with a rash ASSUMPTIONS The Anderson County Health Department is the lead agency for responding to pandemic influenza within Anderson County. The school district will follow the lead of state and local government. A pandemic is a public health emergency with political, social, and economic dimensions: it is likely to affect everyone in the county. The entire population will be at risk of illness from a new type of influenza. Risk groups for severe infections cannot be completely predicted ahead of time. For seasonal influenza, the typical incubation period (the time between acquiring the infection until becoming ill) is 1-3 days. This plan assumes the incubation period for a new strain of influenza. People who become ill may transmit the virus 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms. A pandemic flu will spread rapidly and easily from person to person affecting student and employee absenteeism. SURVEILLANCE 1. 2. 3. 4. Monitor illness of students and staff. Monitor those with temperature above 100 F and one or more of the following: cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. Monitor community/state/country/world situation. Monitor effects of cumulative stress on caregivers (office staff, school nurses, teachers, aides, and other crisis team members). Provide support. 4
PLANNING and COORDINATION In an effort to provide a safe, secure and conducive learning environment Palestine ISD has developed a Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan to address issues that could adversely affect the employees, staff, students and visitors of the District. This plan provides for specific procedures as to the method and manner of notification of parents, guardians, and persons in parental relationship. The Superintendent shall ensure that timely and appropriate information about incidents is communicated to parents, guardians, and persons in parental relationship. In anticipation of H1N1 (swine) flu cases Palestine Independent School District will work in conjunction with local, county, and state agencies to enact its Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan to accomplish the following: Reduce the number of illnesses Limit school disruption THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE TEAM The Pandemic Response Team consists of the superintendent, asst. superintendent, campus principals, campus nurses and campus counselors. CHAIN of COMMAND: In an effort to provide for a coordinated response to a school emergency, the District Pandemic Preparedness Team shall be activated by the Superintendent. In the event that the superintendent is not available the Assistant Superintendent shall serve as Incident Commander. In the the event of a pandemic illness, the District shall implement their plan to ensure that vital operations continue. LEVELS of RESPONSE Level One... Planning (Mitigation and Prevention) Level Two... Preparedness Level Three... Surveillance and Heightened Awareness Level Four... Prepare for Possible School Closures Level Five... School Closure Level Six... Recovery 5
Continuity of Student Learning and Core Operations PISD will inform and educate its employees and parents/guardians about the PI Plan. PISD will strive to anticipate employee, parent/guardians, and student fear, anxiety and rumors so that everyone receives accurate information. Palestine Independent School District has also developed procedures to consider alternate learning strategies. EMPLOYEES 1. Annual flu vaccinations will be encouraged for all employees. Person in charge: School Nurse 2. 3. Programs and materials covering Pandemic Event fundamentals, personal and family protection, and response strategies will be provided to employees. Person in charge: School Nurse Symptoms of contagion Modes of transmissions Hand hygiene Coughing/sneezing etiquette Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan Policies will be developed for preventing influenza spread and minimizing potential exposure to other staff and students. Person in charge: School Nurse Respiratory hygiene Infection control measures - hygiene products, disposal bins, hand shaking Immediate mandatory sick leave Return to work policies Room isolation Working sick - non-infections illness only Other 4. Prevent personal exposure to germs and illness-causing pathogens by: Practicing Universal Precautions at all times. Avoid sharing desktop surfaces, keyboard, and telephone hand-piece with others. Wipe desktop and telephone hand-pieces with disinfectant solution daily. Periodically clean computer keyboard. 5. 6. 7. Report any signs of illness in the classroom to school nurse by referring student or staff to the designated staff person for evaluation. Policy will be established for restricting affected school sites. Person in charge: Superintendent Buildings on-site Separate sites within campus Other Based on critical employee needs, certain employees will be cross-trained in different jobs/educational subject duties. As training is completed, a list will be developed to indicate the jobs/subjects that individuals are capable of teaching or performing. Person in charge: Campus Principals 8. Employees may be allowed to work from other locations or home to ensure basic program functions are completed. This will be based on availability of home computers or other technology assets. Person in charge: Superintendent and Technology Director 6
9. All employees will provide updated Emergency Contact Information to Human Resources. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Special needs for employees will be addressed and reasonable solutions will be incorporated into PISD s preparedness plan. Do not report to work if you are not feeling well and have a temperature of 100 F or higher, active vomiting or diarrhea, or a generalized body rash of undiagnosed origin. Follow district protocol for reporting an absence due to illness. Compensation and exceptions for absenteeism will be handled by the following criteria. Persons in Charge: Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent Personal illness Family illness Community containment Government quarantines School Closure Business closure - i.e. child care In the event of family illness or school closure, consideration will be given to those who are caregivers for family members. Staff members should feel comfortable when leaving their family for work as well as when leaving work for family. A length of time will be established for employees to wait before returning to work after contracting an infectious illness. Public health or government agency mandate will supersede school policy. Maximize student spacing and distancing individuals to reduce the spread of pathogens using the following strategies: Space student desks three (3) feet apart or in small pods or cluster when possible. Discourage prolonged congregation in hallways or entryways during passing, arrival and dismissal times. May be directed by administration to stagger lunchtimes and shorten time in the cafeteria, to minimize the number of students in the cafeteria at one time. This may require schedule changes and flexibility to accommodate this component of the pandemic preparedness plan. Promote frequent air exchanges in the classroom, by closing the door to the hallway, and opening window if available and as weather and outdoor temperatures warrant. Promote continuity of education process by utilizing one or more of the following strategies or instituting another avenue for providing the same: 1. Pre-arranging lesson plans for substitute s use in event of teacher absence due to personal or family illness. 2. Posting homework assignments on the Internet via programs such as using phone messaging system or emailing assignments to student s home or posting on teacher web page. 3. Collecting and preparing packets of take-home assignments for pick up in main office or postal mail delivery. 7
Continuity of Student Learning and Core Operations STUDENTS 1. 2. Student attendance is a very important part of keeping PISD operating. In the event of a Pandemic Event, PISD will continue to meet student needs and provide information to the best of its ability. PISD will communicate with students by: Radio and television notifications Newspaper Flyers and postings Phone Website E-mail Mail When possible, protective masks will be made available for ill students with flu-like symptoms until student is sent home. 3. Waterless hand cleaner will be placed strategically throughout buildings. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.. A standard set of steps will be established for checking children each day. Students should be sent to school nurse if student is exhibiting flu-like symptoms or if student had been absent. Person in charge: School Nurse Staff, parents and guardians will be asked to notify PISD if any of the following are experiencing flu-like symptoms: Immediate family Extended family Close friends Students with special needs will be accommodated when reasonably possible. At no time will the school put staff or other students at risk. Person in charge: Campus Principals Students suspected of having the flu will be moved to an isolation room and disease confinement location - isolate from other students. Students should stay home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Their fever should be gone without them having taken a fever-reducing medicine. A fever is defined as 100 F. When possible, meal accommodations will be made available for students. Person in charge: Food Service Director Delivery Family Pick-up Working with Meals on Wheels Other 8
Health Services: School Nurse Preparedness and P vention Strategies: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Monitor daily the number of student and staff absences due to illness and report any student absent rate of 15% or greater with like illness. Promote health hygiene habits (i.e. frequent hand washing after restroom use or prior to and after mealtime, covering coughs and sneezes, use and proper disposal of personal tissues). Prevent personal exposure to germs and illness-causing pathogens by: 1. Practicing Universal Precautions at all times. 2. Wearing protective gear such as gloves, masks and goggles when indicated. 3. Avoid sharing desktop surfaces, keyboard, and telephone hand-piece with others. 4. Wipe desktop and telephone hand-pieces with disinfectant solution daily. 5. Disinfect shared surfaces after each student or staff intervention. 6. Periodically clean computer keyboard. Dispose of waste materials in safe and efficient manner. Liners will be needed in all waste cans that are collecting potentially contaminated materials. Assess ill students or staff and exclude those who exhibit a temperature of 100 F or higher or signs of flu-like illness. Do not report to work if you are not feeling well and have a temperature of 100 F or higher, active vomiting or diarrhea, or a generalized body rash of undiagnosed origin. Follow district protocol for reporting an absence due to illness. Post and disseminate health-related communications and public health materials to employees and student/families. Strongly encourage voluntary participation in annual influenza or flu shot clinics as offered through personal health care provider or physician. 9. Be familiar with the valuable role you have in the execution of this Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan.. 9
Infection Control Policies and Procedures Palestine Independent School District is aware that infection control is a critical step in pandemic influenza preparedness. These steps are also valuable in preventing the spread of other communicable or infectious diseases. 1. The following infection control measure will be taken within PISD: Gloves Hand washing supplies * Soap * Alcohol-based hand sanitizer * Clean paper towels at all sinks Facial tissue Surgical masks for employees/students Anti-bacterial wipes Wall posters 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.. PISD will identify critical supplies needed to support surge demand and take steps to have those supplies on hand. Guidelines will be developed to lower the face-to-face contact during a Pandemic Event by implementing the following procedures: Web-based conference Teleconferencing E-mail PISD will evaluate staff and student access to mental health services. The following services should be available: Social services Regional support Community support Faith-based resources After notification of a Pandemic Event, the Superintendent will begin alerting critical call list members that the PI Plan has been activated. Based upon the event size and demographic location, the plan may be fully or partially enacted. If student/employee think they have H1N1 influenza they should stay home from work, school, errands, and limit close contact with others to keep from infecting them. Stay home until there has been no fever (>100 F) for 24 hours, without fever reducing medications. In most cases H1N1 will resolve without medical attention. These tips are recommended to get healthy: get plenty of rest take acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, or other fever reducing medicines as needed DO NOT give aspirin or aspirin containing products to children and youth under 18 years old, to avoid Reyes Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening complication. Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated. If medications are prescribed be sure to follow instructions exactly. 10
8. 9. 10. If you are at risk for complications of flu orsick, call your health care provider. Report your symptoms and follow their advice. Education interruptions due to staff and/or student shortage will be handled as follow: Cross training Canceling extra-curricular activities Distance learning Web-based learning Home-bound education Modified hours School discontinuation - last resort If critical employees are absent, the following steps will be taken to maintain the work load of absent employees Step 1 - Report absent employees to Superintendent or designee. Step 2 - Access the cross-training list for capable replacement employees. Step 3 - School Principal will notify cross-trained employees of new duties. 11. 12. 13. PISD will discontinue school operations when the following criteria are met: Staff absenteeism reaches 30% Student absenteeism reaches 15% Transportation is interrupted Supply interruption Because school transportation is crucial to operations, the following issues will be addressed in case of a Pandemic Event: Sanitizing buses Transportation of ill students Doubling-up on routes as needed if drivers are ill The PI Plan termination will be determined by the Superintendent. Based on functioning capabilities, PISD may reopen as usual or operations may be modified based on internal staffing and attendance issues. 11
Communications Planning Communications during a Pandemic Event involves both internal communications and external communications. Notification to employees/students/parents of operational changes Provide frequent updates about the pandemic status Provide advisories and alerts as conditions change Ensure vendors and suppliers have available a dedicated communications contact Monitor local, state, and federal pandemic updates PROCEDURES 1. 2. Medical information will be obtained from several sources. These sources may include the area health department, area hospitals, and/or local physicians. Government, business, and other school information will be obtained by contacting other local officials, such as the City of Palestine administrators and/or Anderson County officials. 3. The superintendent will communicate with federal, state, and local agencies. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The superintendent will be responsible for the following: Organize and direct all aspects of the incident response. Ensures the safety of all persons involved with the pandemic. Creates and releases all information to the media and the public. Establishes and maintains relationships with outside organizations. Initiates and manages ongoing campus operations through a pandemic. Meets the goods, services, and staffing needs of the operation during the pandemic. Collects information and resources potentially relevant to the pandemic and school operations. Monitor all expenditures and ensures fiscal resource availability during the pandemic. Palestine ISD will communicate with the area health department and the Texas Department of State Health Services about the services available and potential illness within our district. To improve the basic Pandemic Event response efforts, Palestine ISD will contact TEA, neighboring ISD s, and local suppliers to share essential practices. The Pandemic Influenza plan will be communicated to employees/parents/community members by: e-mail web site faculty/staff meetings telephone Palestine ISD will ensure that language, culture, and reading level appropriateness are considered when disseminating school health-related messages. 12