A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs
when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little
or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease
spreads easily person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can
sweep across the country and around the world in a very short
time. resources will also be expected to continue to meet
non-pandemic associated healthcare needs.
California Department of Public Health (CDPHi) State Public Health
announced that CDPH has received the first report of an
influenza-associated fatality in a person under the age of one
year for the 2015-2016 flu season.
“As California’s public health officer, I am saddened when the
flu turns into loss of life…I urge you to be vaccinated now
before the flu really spreads widely to protect yourself and
those around you,” said Dr. Smith.
Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of
thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of
thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat,
CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of
age and older, including pregnant women.
Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a
cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue
and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or
diarrhea.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses,
Californians should also:
Stay home when sick
Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly dispose of
the used tissue
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Dr. Smith encourages Californians to contact their health care
provider, physician office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining
the flu vaccine. Some local health departments may also offer
low- or no-cost flu immunizations. For more information about the
flu visit the CDPH
influenza web page.To find a flu vaccine location near you,
visit www.flu.gov.
This checklist should be used as one of several tools for
evaluating current plans or in developing a comprehensive
pandemic influenza plan.
An effective plan will incorporate information from state,
regional, tribal and local health departments, emergency
management agencies/ authorities, hospital associations and
suppliers of resources. In addition, hospitals should ensure that
their pandemic influenza plans comply with applicable state
and federal regulations and with standards set by accreditation
organizations.
Comprehensive pandemic influenza planning can also help
facilities plan for other emergency situations.
During the 2010-11 flu season, the use of surge tents to screen
and triage patients required involvement by the State Fire
Marshal (SFM), Local Fire Marshal, Office of Statewide Health
Planning and Development (OSHPD) and California Department of
Public Health (CDPHi). Regulations and policies governing the use
of tents have not changed for the 2011-12 flu season.
CHA released a memo and distributed pertinent
attachments outlining the 2011-2012 policies on tent
use.
The California Department of Public
Health (CDPHi) has reviewed and concurs with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Updated Interim
Recommendations for the Use of Antiviral Medications in the
Treatment and Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season
released on December 7, 2009. These recommendations focus on the
use of antiviral medications for the treatment and
chemoprophylaxis of influenza.
The United States Department of Health & Human Services developed
these avian influenza and pandemic influenza communication tools
using the communication science-based message mapping development
process.
New Jersey Hospital Association Publication Series
Through the use of a detailed assessment and planning tools,
hospitals can review existing policies and procedures, identify
gaps, adopt new policies and procedures and generate a pandemic
influenza plan that will facilitate a more effective response
during a crisis.
These tools will assist hospitals in developing and adopting new
policies that will be required to protect employees, patients and
the hospital staff itself. The planning and assessment tool
identifies critical elements within each module related to
hospital operations during an emergency situation. In addition,
the tool provides a variety of sample policies and procedures
that facilities may elect to use in their planning process.
These tools were developed through a grant from Roche
Pharmaceuticals. For more information about the contents of
these materials, please contact NJHA’s Health Planning Department
at 609-275-4020 or visit the NJHA website for more information.
The Healthcare Guide for Pandemic Flu Planning Tools are
available in several modules, listed below. Please note that
these policies and procedures do not reflect standard of care.
