H1N1 Preparedness UpdateSeptember 10, 2009
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• Overview of the University of Minnesota Emergency Management System
• Health Emergency Planning and Response/UM Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
• H1N1 Status and Anticipated Activity through Fall and Winter
Emergency Operations Plan
All Hazards Emergency Plan (Basic Plan, 18 Annexes)– Natural disasters– Chemical leaks– Transportation accidents– Laboratory spills – Terrorism
www.dem.umn.edu
Officer of the Day
• Full authority of the President to act in emergencies
• Vice President for University Services is the primary Officer of the Day, 5 back-ups – Chair EMPC, activate for emergencies– Activate the EOC– Authorize activities and expenditures– Long-range recovery planning
Operational Continuity Planning
• University policy since 1997• “All Hazard” general planning• 18 Critical Operating units required to plan• All units encouraged to plan• Key Aspects:
– Ranked essential functions– Essential resources/personnel– Re-allocate– Triage: must do, defer, eliminate
• Pandemic planning is a specialized “stand alone” section of a department’s plan, implemented separately
Health EmergencyPlanning & Response on Campus
• Public Health Annex added in 2003
• Public Health Officer Preparedness and Emergency Response (AVP for Public Health) created in 2003
• AHC Office of Emergency Response created in 2004
Academic Health Center Office of Emergency Response
•Planning •Health Emergency Response•Medical Reserve Corps•Training•Exercises and Drills•Curricular Enhancements and Interdisciplinary Education
Pandemic Influenza Planning on Campus
Pandemic Influenza Exercise (May, 2005)Important education for playersIdentified unique challenges faced on a large urban
campus settingBasis for a comprehensive planning initiative
Pandemic Influenza Planning on Campus
Extensive Assessment and Planning Initiative, 2005 – 2008University of Minnesota Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
Added as an annex to the U of M Emergency Operations Plan (Annex R)
The plan is a useful tool The shared planning experience is essential
Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
Situation Awareness/ Coordination
– Internal and External Coordination
– CommunicationsStudent/Staff/Faculty Health
– Health Services– Housing– Public Health Response– Human Resources
Campus OperationsCampus Operations
Campus InfrastructureCampus Infrastructure
TeachingTeaching
ResearchResearch
Athletics ProgramAthletics Program
Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
Situation Awareness/ Coordination
– Internal and External Coordination
– CommunicationsStudent/Staff/Faculty Health
– Health Services– Housing– Public Health Response– Human Resources
Campus OperationsCampus Operations
Campus InfrastructureCampus Infrastructure
TeachingTeaching
ResearchResearch
Athletics ProgramAthletics Program
Series of checklists by time and severity
Pandemic Influenza Response Team - 75 members
2009 H1N1 Influenza: Response Strategies
• Self-isolation of the ill
• Personal prevention strategies
• Use of N95 respirators for health care workers in close contact with ill persons
• Use of surgical face masks for ill persons
• Vaccination– Seasonal influenza vaccine, H1N1 vaccine
2009 H1N1 Influenza: What if H1N1 becomes more severe?
• Social distancing measures
• Proactive closure of schools
Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
Situation Awareness/ Coordination
– Internal and External Coordination
– CommunicationsStudent/Staff/Faculty Health
– Health Services– Housing– Public Health Response– Human Resources
Campus OperationsCampus Operations
Campus InfrastructureCampus Infrastructure
TeachingTeaching
ResearchResearch
Athletics ProgramAthletics Program
Communications
•Core communications team established with overall coordination provided by URelations
•Central message sent to the entire University system on August 26
•Targeted messages have been sent to students, parents, faculty, and employees
•Dedicated H1N1 space on U of M homepage with link to H1N1 website (http://www.umn.edu/h1n1)
•All messages are housed on H1N1 website
Health Services
•Surge plans for increased numbers of ill patients within the clinic•Use of Nurse Line to answer patient questions without the need for clinic visit•Seasonal influenza vaccination clinics scheduled earlier than normal - Sept 16•Preparations for H1N1 vaccinations•Modified clinic operations to limit transmission
Housing
Residents and parents advised those with “ILI” return home until fever-free for 24 hours.
Those unable to return home asked to self-isolate. Provided surgical masks and means for meal delivery.
Support provided by Health Advocates (HAs) and Community Advisors (CAs) who have special training.
Additional Public Health Measures
•Increasing availability of hand sanitizer in public spaces on campus
•Posters with prevention messages
•Reviewing supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff in direct contact with ill persons and antivirals for treatment of persons at high risk for complications
•Ensuring that employees who may need to use PPE are properly prepared
Human Resources
•Reinforce the importance for employees to self-isolate at home when they are ill
•Important role of HR professionals
•Draft policy under review
Teaching
•Reinforce the importance for students to self isolate when they are ill
•Temporary suspension of doctor’s note requirement for missed classes due to influenza-like illnesses
•Faculty are encouraged to be flexible this semester, use technology as needed
Summary
Plans…have been enhanced based upon exercises
and experienceThey serve as important guidelines and
checklists (http://www.umn.edu/h1n1) Response Personnel…have been identified and trained in key
response areasMaintain 4 deep redundancy and 24/7 contact
information
Summary
Response Capabilities
Infrastructure is in place to support both internal and external situational awareness
Maintain capacity to rapidly convene teams in response to real-time information
Reality
Plans cannot prevent disruption that may occur. Continued communication most important strategy.
Thank you!