TIP OF THE WEEK

Pandemic influenza planning in long-term care settings

 

Healthcare providers will play a crucial role in the event of a national influenza pandemic, as stated on the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) pandemic planning Web site. The time to prepare is now, before a national influenza pandemic strikes. By following the recommendations made by the DHHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you and your facility will be better prepared to control the devastating effects of a national influenza pandemic.

 

The DHHS and the CDC have developed the checklist below to help long-term care and other residential facilities assess and improve their preparedness for responding to pandemic influenza. Based on their differences (e.g., patient/resident characteristics, facility size, scope of services, hospital affiliation), each facility may adapt the checklist to meet its unique needs and circumstances. Use this as one tool in developing a comprehensive pandemic influenza plan.

 

I. STRUCTURE FOR PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING

• The threat of pandemic influenza has been incorporated into emergency management planning and exercises for the facility.
• A multidisciplinary planning committee or team has been created to specifically address pandemic influenza preparedness planning.
• A person has been assigned responsibility for coordinating preparedness planning, hereafter referred to as the pandemic influenza response coordinator.
• Members of the planning committee include representatives from all administrative, clinical, and support departments.
• Local and state health departments and provider/trade association points of contact have been identified for information on pandemic influenza planning resources.
• Local, regional, or state emergency preparedness groups, including bioterrorism and communicable disease coordinators points of contact have been identified.
• Area hospitals’ points of contact have been identified in the event that facility residents require hospitalization or facility beds are needed for hospital patients being discharged in order to free up needed hospital beds.

II. DEVELOPMENT OF A WRITTEN PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PLAN

• Copies have been obtained of relevant sections of the HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan and available regional, state, or local plans are reviewed for incorporation into the facility's plan.
• The facility plan includes the elements listed below.
• The plan identifies the person(s) authorized to implement the plan and the organizational structure that will be used.

III. ELEMENTS OF AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC PLAN

• A plan is in place for surveillance and detection of the presence of pandemic influenza in residents and staff.
• A facility communication plan has been developed.
• A plan is in place to provide education and training to ensure that all personnel, residents, and family members of residents understand the implications of, and basic prevention and control measures for, pandemic influenza.
• An infection control plan is in place for managing residents and visitors with pandemic influenza.
• An occupational health plan for addressing staff absences and other related occupational issues has been developed.
• A vaccine and antiviral use plan has been developed.
• Issues related to surge capacity during a pandemic have been addressed.

 

 

 

 

 

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