Infection Prevention and Control – Pandemic Response Plan, Phase Two: Activation SECTION: 14.14

Strength of Evidence Level: 3__RN__LPN/LVN__HHA

PURPOSE:

To provide an appropriate agency response to a significant infectious disease event that has high potential to impact the agency.

CONSIDERATIONS:

  1. The agency will be guided by the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state division of public health when a significant infectious disease event is confirmed.
  2. Phase Two Activation of the Pandemic Response Plan requires the agency to:
  3. Provide staff education on the outbreak.
  4. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and immediately request guidance from the state division of public health if PPE shortages occur or are anticipated.
  5. Provide staff with patient questionnaire form.
  6. Follow CDC and state public health recommendations, if any, for staff prophylaxis post or pre exposure.
  7. The agency will plan for potential staff shortages, disruption of services to patients and a sudden increase in patient numbers (surge) by reviewing the procedure for Phase Three.

EQUIPMENT:

Computer with email and Internet capacity

Phone and fax for networking

PPE appropriate to type of transmission for field staff

Pandemic Evaluation Form for Patients

PROCEDURE:

  1. The Infection Preventionist (IP):
  2. Regularly gathers current information on the pandemic status from local, state and federal resources and keeps the Pandemic Response Team updated of significant changes.
  3. Evaluates patient and staff risk of exposure to pandemic organism using CDC and state public health guidelines and staff reporting.
  4. Provides staff education on the outbreak, including how to identify potential victims and appropriate transmission precautions following CDC and/or state public health department guidelines.

d.Provides staff with the patient questionnaire form containing the case definition.

  1. The Materials Manager:

a.Orders additional supplies needed

b.Assures PPE is available.

  1. Staff:
  2. Staff risk of exposure to the pandemic is evaluated using CDC and state public health guidelines.
  3. Staff isasked to voluntarily and continually evaluate personal risk factors and the potential for exposure and transmission, and inform the agency if unable to complete assignments during any phase of the pandemic.
  4. Staff with signs or symptoms of the pandemic illness will be referred to either state division of public health or occupational health for further screening and will not see patients or report to work until cleared by that entity.
  5. Clinical staff is not to enter areas or premises under isolation by the state public health department unless approved by state public health department and the agency.
  6. Every day, prior to each visit, all clinical staff will evaluate patient and patient households for signs or symptoms of the pandemic illness using the “Pandemic Patient Evaluation Form.” (See Infection Prevention and Control- Pandemic Evaluation Form for Patients.)

(1)Staff will telephone patients or, in absence of patient phone availability, staff will interview the patient/caregiver through the door, prior to entering the home.

(2)Affirmative responses to the patient questionnaire that suggest exposure or illness and are communicated to the IP.

(3)Staff proceeding to visit will don appropriate PPE prior to entering the residence if anyone on the premises has symptoms suggestive of the pandemic illness.

  1. Office Staff Onsite:

a.Staff isencouraged not to share phones and keyboards.

b. Use agency approved disinfectant according to manufacturer’s recommendations to wipe down phones and surfaces in common areas. .

AFTER CARE:

1.The agency will decide when Phase Two is to be discontinued or when Phase Three will be added.

2.The agency will evaluate the preparedness and effectiveness of the response and adjust the plan accordingly.