Pandemic Flu Preparedness

CTEH^® wishes to assist our clients in preparing for and responding to the emerging potential for a Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) impact in North America. It has become increasingly clear that, the potential of a pandemic flu in North America is increasing at an alarming rate. The risk of human-to-human transmission of the H1N1 virus is of sufficient magnitude that governments and organizations around the world are preparing for a “pandemic” that could occur when and if this happens. CTEH^®’s team of registered nurses, occupational physician, toxicologists, and environmental health professionals are on standby to assist our clients address concerns both in the workplace and at home. As with the prior concerns with avian flu, it is clear that preparedness and planning will fall heavily on individual communities and businesses.

For important updates to U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection: CDC Swine Flu

For important updates to International Cases of Swine Flu Infections: WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Responses (EPR) CTEH^® is providing assistance to companies in the following areas:

• Development and/or review of a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan.
• Facility assessments, policy/procedure assessments, and personnel assessments.
• Training at various levels in your company in such areas as basic infection control procedures, disease recognition, care of ill family members, etc.
• Development and implementation of personal protective equipment program including respiratory protection, if warranted in your work environment.
• Employee/public/customer communications during actual or suspected health incidents.
• Mobilization of rapid response teams to assist as needed in oversight of facility decontamination and biological or environmental sampling to confirm the presence or absence of influenza A and H1 viruses.
• Development and implementation of a vendor verification program to ensure that other organizations you count on for the timely and efficient conduct of your business have a workable Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan in place for their organization.

The CTEH^® Pandemic Plan Manual contains the following:

• Comprehensive Plan Overview – This is a document compiled from an extensive literature review. It provides an overview of influenza, pandemic influenza, historical information on pandemics, an overview of organizational issues and an overview of pertinent policies and procedures.

• Alert System -Plan is implemented based on a defined Alert System that outlines specific components of the Plan that should be implemented based on the worldwide or more localized status of the Pandemic.

• Alert System Tools – Tools to provide guidance for what tasks need to be completed at a specific Alert Level.

• Policies/Procedures -A number of policies have been developed which can be customized to the unique needs of various work environments. Some policies include: -Non-punitive Sick Leave -Telecommuting -Hand Hygiene -Communication -Infection Control -Vaccination -Disinfection -Antiviral Distribution -Social Distancing/Social Isolation -Case Isolation -Employee/Visitor Screening -Vendor Verification -Personal Protective Equipment During Pandemic -Return to Work -Release of Medical Information (related to Pandemic Flu)

• Health Alert Notification Letter for Employees -A sample General Health Alert Letter to employees notifying them that they may have come into contact with a person suspected of having Pandemic Influenza. Provides information about symptoms of Pandemic Influenza and informs them of who they should contact for further information.

• Urgent Health Alert Notice -A template for an urgent letter to employees notifying them that they have come into contact with a person known to have Pandemic Influenza. Health Alert Posters -Important communication tools for posting in areas where there has been a suspected case of Pandemic Influenza – Provides information about symptoms of Pandemic Influenza and informs them of who they should contact for further information.

• Guidance Documents -These infection control guidance documents provide general and specific information on proper cleaning techniques and use of PPE to reduce the spread of Pandemic Influenza

• Infection Control Guidance for Cleaning Personnel

• Infection Control Guidance for Office Staff

• Infection Control Guidance for Screening Personnel/Pandemic Team/Quarantine Personnel

Training Manual

CTEH^® has designed a program tailored to non-medical persons who will be tasked with the responsibility of training employees to the basic principles of infection control and how they can be applied in a Pandemic situation in the work environment. It contains information and teaching tips to prepare instructors to teach the modules to their employees and to ensure that instructors are comfortable answering questions related to Pandemic Influenza and prevention strategies.

The modules are designed with lesson plans based on well-defined objectives to ensure consistency and standardized delivery of courses. Modules

• Module 1 -Pathogens & Basic Infection Control Practices
• Module 2 -Basics of Pandemic Influenza (Including treatment options and vaccinations)
• Module 3 -Hand Hygiene
• Module 4 -PPE Use (Respirators, gloves, surgical masks, etc)
• Module 5 -Disinfection
• Module 6 -Home Care

Supplemental Modules

Tips for Traveling Training Manual includes

• Outlines of all modules including key facts and FAQs in each section to which the instructor may refer
• CD ROM containing PowerPoint presentations on all modules (Some PowerPoint presentations contain scripted notes aid the instructor in discussion topics during the presentation)
• Section on teaching methods (to guide those who are not normally trainers)
• Sample of handouts/supplemental training booklets/factsheets*

Printable Posters and Factsheets on topics such as Pandemic Influenza, Hand Washing, Cough Etiquette, Disinfection, etc. Additional Products/Services

• Customized Disinfection Protocols -Customized, detailed protocols for key areas/personnel where there is a high risk of exposure to Pandemic Influenza.
• Rapid Response Disinfection -A special team brought in to do extensive disinfection following discovery of a known or suspected case of Pandemic Influenza.
• Emergency Responses -Outbreak investigations, environmental sampling, etc.
• Vendor Verification Reviews

Pandemic Information Center Services:

• 24-Hour Nurse Call Center -CTEH^® will implement a 24-Hour Pandemic Flu Hotline program where your company’s designated flu team members may call with questions regarding the current alert phase and recommendations for responding to a potential pandemic influenza. Calls from designated Pandemic Flu Team members will be forwarded to the CTEH^® nurse on-call who will be available for questions 24/7. The nurse will record information about the call to track questions, concerns, and trends.
• Instant Messaging/Frequently Asked Questions -An online tool providing the ability for your Employees to sign on and “chat” with a medical professional 7 days a week from 0800-1700 CST

For more information, contact CTEH® Occupational Health Staff Gail Huss, RN, Senior Medical Specialist and Kristen Williamson, RN, Senior Medical Specialist at 501.801.8500

ghuss@cteh.com kwilliamson@cteh.com